DAVAO ORIENTAL – Twenty-seven members of the Philippine National Police here comprising the first batch of police officers to be spread throughout the barangays in the province have been formally deployed during a simple send-off ceremony on Monday, February 24, 2020.
The said activity is under the Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay Program of the PNP XI which is anchored to President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 70 or Whole of Nation Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Newly installed Provincial Director Police Colonel Joselito Loriza said that under the program, the police officers will be deployed to the areas “cleared” by the Philippine Army and take over its role in ensuring and maintaining security in these communities.
“Once they are already in the far-flung barangays, they are not just policemen, but they are tasked to deliver the services that they can to the people, and that the challenge is, they are the first batch, and the success of the program lies in their hands. If they will start it really right as expected of them, development is sure to come next,” said Pol. Col. Loriza.
Under the program, the barangay policemen were grouped into four clusters, comprising of four personnel with officers.
The program was first launched by the PNP several years ago and is now being revitalized to support the thrusts of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, said Pol. Col. Adolfo Eyan, Deputy Provincial Director for Operation.
“Basically, the task of law enforcement is carried on, fighting criminalities, community organizing, initiating and facilitating activities in the barangays. The barangay policemen are to ensure peace and order, while they can also be mobilized in emergencies and disasters. The revitalized barangay police program had them trained in all aspects of police work,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pol. Col. Loriza also gave emphasis on the need for police officers to embody discipline at all times. “Discipline is very important. How can one, police for that matter, win the hearts and minds of the people if he has no discipline in doing things?” he said.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Orle Cabaobao, who administered the oathtaking of the first batch of barangay policemen said “You are a very welcome development to the barangays. The barangay officials will be very happy to have you, helping them in strengthening the barangay-based institutions. These barangay-based institutions like the Barangay Development Council, Barangay Peace and Order Council, Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council, Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children. You will now be a part in the molding and honing of more competitive barangays, and most importantly, respect is a must. You have to respect the people the barangay,” he added.
The city government of Mati and the provincial government of Davao Oriental assured their full support to the 27 barangay policemen who will be assigned in Barangays Don Salvador Lopez, Don Enrique Lopez, Taguibo, Tagbinonga, and Sanghay, and some barangays in the municipality of Lupon.
Witnessing the send-off ceremony held at the Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office Headquarters were Punong Barangay Danny Macaubos of Barangay Central, Edgar Valera of Barangay Sainz, Rebecca Tangca-ag of Barangay Tagbinonga, and Juanita Napoles of Barangay Don Mariano Marcos, Lerma Bajenteng of Barangay Calapagan, and Helen Manggob of Barangay Marayag in the municipality of Lupon.
Moreover, considered a first for the Philippine National Police, through the initiative and lead of the PNP Region 11, the program is also designed to change the image of PNP for the better, standing true to their mission which is to serve and to protect. By: Neela Duallo
