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[av_heading heading=’Gun-toting barangay tanods face arrest ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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ILOILO City – Barangay tanods (village watchmen) are prohibited from carrying firearms, licensed or not, while on duty. They are only allowed to carry truncheons (batuta).
Gun-toting tanods on duty will be arrested, according to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), citing the order of Philippine National Police’s Director General Ronald Dela Rosa.
PRO-6 spokesperson Superintendent Gilbert Gorero urged armed barangay tanods to better surrender their guns, especially those without licenses.
For village watchmen with licensed guns, he said they should leave their firearms at home while on duty.
Barangay tanods are civilians, stressed Gorero.
“Even if you have a PTCFOR (permit to carry firearm outside of residence), indi ka lang basta-basta makadala kun civilian ka,” he stressed.
Only uniformed law enforcers such as policemen and military personnel can carry licensed firearms and visibly.
“Kon civilian ka and you do that, you will be held for questioning and verification,” said Gorero.
Dela Rosa ordered the arrest of armed barangay tanods following a bloody shooting involving village watchmen in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila on Dec. 28, 2017.
“Ang puwede sa kanila ay batuta lang,” he stressed.
The PNP, he said, considered barangay tanods as generally helpful of the police “pero kung ang tanod ang source ng problema e ibang usapan na ‘yan.”
The PNP chief has long been vocal against proposals to arm village watchmen. He said unscrupulous local government officials may turn the tanods into private armies.
“Hulihin lahat ng tanod na armado. Magalit na ang magagalit, wala akong pakialam. They (tanods) are not authorized to bring firearms. I’m giving instructions to all chiefs of police,” said Dela Rosa.
‘TANOD IN EVERY CORNER’
In Iloilo City, Mayor Jose Espinosa III wanted village watchmen to take a vital role in the city government’s campaign to curb criminality, beginning with the strict implementation of the curfew for minors from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
“I’m going to focus on this. Lain gid kon kada corner may tanod,” said Espinosa a month after becoming mayor in October.
The city government has been struggling to enforce the curfew ordinance for minors.
Espinosa wanted barangay councils to reactivate their respective village watchmen.
“Empowering barangay tanods is my thrust,” he said.
For starters, Espinosa would be arming them with truncheons.
“Nag-order na kita batuta. Amat-amaton ta sila provide,” he revealed.
Espinosa also wanted barangays to maximize the use of their “tricycle patrols” provided by the city government.
“Those were for tanods’ patrolling operations. Isa ka problem, indi sila kapatughong gamit ang ila pundo unless i-donate sa ila so gina-prepare na naton ang deed of donation,” said Espinosa.
According to the mayor, barangay tanods served as force multipliers of the police.
“They also help during rescue operations,” said Espinosa./PN
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