The police force deployed at the Tagbilaran City airport is in need of more personnel to man intensified security operations particularly if the city starts to cater to international flights, a ranking cop said.

Senior Inspector Marvin Bolic, chief of the Aviation Security Group (AVSEGroup) in Tagbilaran City, admitted that they have not been able to achieve ideal standards in conducting 24-hour security at the city airport.

Bolic said the police team stationed at the airport is undermanned as it does not have enough personnel to cover the entire area, including the two-kilometer runway.

Although a unit from the Regional Public Safety Company – 7 has been deployed to augment airport security, Bolic said that more policemen are needed as the RPSC team may not be stationed there permanently.

He noted that the AVSEGroup is in need of bomb disposal personnel and more K9 units, both chief elements in manning security operations at public places, particularly an airport.

There are only 10 AVSEGroup police officers, including cops handling K9 units, at the Tagbilaran City airport, Bolic added.

The said team is required to patrol the airport and its fringes, even more thoroughly now as President Rodrigo Duterte declared a “state of lawlessness” after the deadly Davao City bombing early this month.

Last week, Bolic said that they have enlisted the aid of residents living in villages around the airport to help secure the establishment’s perimeter.

The move is part of the AVSEGroup’s efforts to prevent terrorist attacks and other dangers in the wake of the Davao blast which claimed the lives of 14 people and left scores injured. (Allen Doydora)

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