The Tagbilaran Philippine National Police (PNP) conducts a simulation exercise (SIMEX) as a way to gauge the readiness of the local police to respond to a bombing incident.
According to Tagbilaran PNP chief Lt. Col. Mary Crystal Peralta who headed the SIMEX, the activity took place on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 and was done at the Dao Public Market and the Island City Mall area.
The exercise simulated a bombing incident to test the reaction of the police together with first responders attending to those who got injured following the simulated incident, Peralta said.
The SIMEX is being conducted as a means of preparation against bomb threats and actual bombing incidents that usually happen in public places such as public markets or malls.
Moreover, Peralta said that the SIMEX not only gauges the ability of the police and other first responders to respond to the emergency, but also the way the evacuation protocols are handled and the subsequent investigation into the incident.
The city police chief said that the a SIMEX incident management team will be assessing the conduct of the SIMEX to help fine tune the policies and protocols that will be used by the authorities as they respond to a bombing incident in the city.
The SIMEX was witnessed by some city government officials including City Administrator Cathelyn Torremocha, City Health Officer Jeia Pondoc, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Gerard Lavadia and City Tourism Officer May Hope Arcenal.