[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=”]
[/av_textblock]
[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’‘BATO’: ARREST ARMED ‘TANODS’ ‘ 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 ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has ordered police officers to arrest all barangay tanods, or village watchmen, who possess firearms.
Village watchmen were not authorized to carry firearms when performing their duties, only truncheons, or “night sticks,” Dela Rosa told a news conference at Camp Crame on Tuesday.
“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,” the PNP chief said.
“Ang puwede sa kanila ay batuta lang. The PNP is happy na may tanod na nakakatulong pero kung ang tanod ang source ng problema e ibang usapan na,” he added.
Dela Rosa made the order after two village watchmen opened fire at a vehicle they mistook for a shooter’s getaway car in Mandaluyong City on Dec. 28.
The vehicle was actually rushing a shooting victim to the hospital.
Responding Mandaluyong City police officers learned from the village watchmen that they were going after a shooter’s vehicle, prompting the lawmen to join the shooting.
“Kahit na may permits to carry firearms outside of residence iyong mga tanod, hindi pa rin nilang puwedeng dalhin sa mataong lugar, sa place of convergence, dahil pang-self-defense lang talaga,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa has been vocal against allowing village watchmen carry guns while on duty. He warned that local government officials may turn the tanods into private armies.
TERM EXTENDED
In a related development, Dela Rosa will continue serving as PNP chief until April 21.
He was supposed to retire effective Jan. 21 but President Rodrigo Duterte extended his stay to three more months.
“Since in-extend ni Presidente iyong term ko, meaning kinakailangan pa iyong serbisyo ko dito sa PNP,” Dela Rosa said. “Nakuha ko na iyong soft copy noong sulat mula kay Presidente.”
He added: “Ibibigay ko na lahat. Wala na akong ire-reserve pa. Mas madaming drug personalities ang mahuhuli. Ipagpapatuloy natin ang war on drugs program ni Presidente.”
Duterte, in December 2017, said he would extend Dela Rosa’s term to help introduce reforms in Mindanao.
“I want to do some things in Mindanao of utmost importance. And I need to extend the tour of duty of General Dela Rosa to something like two to three months,” he said.
After the three-month term extension, Dela Rosa will be appointed chief of the Bureau of Corrections, Duterte said./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
