Role of tanods in peace and order cited
Barangay Tanods multiply the presence of police personnel in the barangays to see to it that peace and order reigns in communities.
Interior and Local Government 6 Regional Director Evelyn Trompeta, in a radio interview, said under Executive 546 the Barangay Tanods are deputized by the Philippine National Police (PNP), with the concurrence of the local chief executives and the local Peace and Order Council to help barangay officials prevent crime and maintain peace and order.
Trompeta also said the Local Government Code has authorized the organization of Barangay Tanods upon resolution and confirmation of the Sangguniang Barangay, numbering not less than 20 but can be more, depending on the peace and order situation and the size of the barangay.
Citing the partnership between the police and the barangay tanods, Trompeta said the latter are expected to patrol around the barangay and make their visibility strong so that crime elements can be deterred from their intentions.
Police Sr. Inspector Lourdes Banzuelo said the barangay tanods are indispensable partners considering the inadequate number of policemen that could hardly patrol far flung communities.
The DILG said that the tanods are chosen for their good moral character and their sense of commitment in doing volunteer work.
They are prepared for their tasks by making them undergo a series of trainings in Search, Rescue and Retrieval Operations, Fire Fighting and other Disaster Drills, and in developing skills in ferreting out information, conducting surveillance and even apprehension.
Meanwhile, Dir. Trompeta said their office is now operationalizing Patrol 117 based in their regional office in Iloilo City so that response to police calls for assistance in the region, will not have to pass through Cebu and relayed to Iloilo.
The equipment and facilities for Patrol 117 got funding assistance from Austrian government. (PIA6/ESS)