Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams launched in Ozamiz

WITH the aim of establishing an effective community policing machinery and enhance PNP and community partnership in crime prevention and community assistance programs, more than 1,150 barangay tanods here have recently took their oaths as members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) to help police authorities in the maintenance of peace and order in the province.

PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo, as guest of honor of the launching of BPATs held in Medina Gymnasium cited the major role of the barangay tanods in the maintenance of peace and order in the villages.

They (tanods) themselves are the very first ones to know and report what is happening in their own community," Bacalzo said.

As BPAT members, he said, the barangay tanods will be trained in the police work.

The tanods will no longer be known as barangay tanod but as part of empowering them they will be called as barangay peacekeepers.

“The members of the BPATs would be a big help to the police in the maintenance of peace and order in the barangays, which is so vital towards the achievement of progress and prosperity,” Bacalzo added.

Under the BPATs program, ten members will be called in to compose the said group who will be assigned in their respective barangays nationwide.

The main intention of BPATs is to conduct community-based activities and information campaign in support to the police’s anti-criminality, insurgency and terrorism efforts.

BPATs is different from the barangay tanods in the sense that the role of the barangay tanods is to face criminals in coordination of the police while BPATs are the ones tasked only to observe, prevent and report the commission of untoward incidents in the community.

In short, the BPATs, which shall be supervised and controlled by the lowest PNP unit in the locality, are not expected to fight the criminals but only observe in their respective communities and report any incidents that can compromise the safety of the locals, Bacalzo said.

Bacalzo, in his message during the ceremony, told the BPATs to “stop crime and propagate peace” and lead in achieving peace and development in their respective villages.


The PNP chief also admits that due to the lack of PNP personnel throughout the country there is a need to organize BPATS in every locality.

Bacalzo said that the country of more than 9 million people needs additional 50,000 more policemen to reach the ratio of one is to 800.

“Pero alam naman natin na hindi kakayahin ng ating pamahalaan ang budget para mag-train, mag-recruit at magpasuweldo nga ganon karami kaya higit kailangan ang BPATS as force multiplier,” Bacalzo explained.

Saying that there is a need of the strong partnership of the community and the local government Bacalzo thanked the local government officials of Ozamiz City headed by Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez and the Provincial government in initiating the launching of the BPATS in the province especially in Ozamiz City.

The training of the BPATS will cover a series of lectures, discussions, and practical exercises regarding their role as "force multipliers". The tanods will be trained for a total of 40 hours on duties and responsibilities such as unarmed patrolling, self-defense, traffic management, disaster relief and rescue operations.

In her part mayor Echavez said the city’s interest of hosting the event is an indication of commitment to address the very elusive agenda of the local government governance, the provision of public order and safety is given meaning by the launching of BPATS in the province.
Echavez added that the stewardship of their driven test advocacy of peace has personally inspired her and has challenged every Ozamiznon to do their share.

“After all the ultimate beneficiary for a peaceful commission is the community and the people in tasks,” Echavez said.

Saying that the community is the most important among the five pillars of the criminal justice system Echavez believed the crime begins in the community and must end it there.

Governor Herminia Ramiro vowed to continue supporting the initiatives regarding peace and order for it is also aligned with her ‘GO-Hermie’ program.(NEPTALIE BATOLENIO)