Davao City bans backpacks inside mosques
MANILA, Philippines — Following the recent bombings in Jolo and Zamboanga City, the city of Davao has started implementing a “no backpack policy” inside its mosques.
The city’s imams (worship leaders in the Muslim community) made the decision to assure the safety of worshipers public in all Davao City mosques, Radyo Inquirer 990 AM reported on Saturday,
Aside from backpacks, large plastic bags and boxes are also not allowed to be brought inside the worship area. Profiling of suspicious persons will also be done by security authorities in the city, the radio report said.
Task Force Davao Commander Nolasco Mempin has already coordinated with Davao City imams in the implementation of the ban.
Earlier, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte prohibited backpacks inside Roman Catholic churches and other places of worship in the city.
The twin blasts that hit the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu last Jan. 27 left killed at least 20 persons and injured over 100 others.
READ: Jolo twin blasts death toll reaches 20, with 111 others injured
Meanwhile in Zamboanga City, a grenade that exploded inside a mosque last Jan. 30 left two persons dead and three others injured. /muf
READ: 2 dead, 3 hurt in Zamboanga mosque grenade blast
