Students, parents, tanods join police in drive vs. criminality

CEBU, Philippines – Students, their parents, and barangay tanods in Lapu-Lapu City are helping the police against criminality, especially in schools.

Yesterday, close to 1,000 students, parents, peace and security officers of the different schools, and barangay tanods took their oath before Mayor Paz Radaza.

Lapu-Lapu City officials and Police Regional Office-7 regional director for operations, Senior Superintendent Louie Oppus also witnessed the investiture of the Barangay Police Safety Officers as well as to give recognition to those who completed the BPSO Unified Task Force Training for Barangay Safety Officers. 

They had completed training and had attended seminars conducted by the Lapu-Lapu City Police headed by Senior Superintendent Mariano Natuel Jr.

Radaza, in her speech, said the momentous "Three in One Affair" yesterday was the answer to the collective aspiration for support groups that uphold security, peace and order in the city.

She said these ideals are what have pushed the people to reactivate the Junior Police & Parents Brigade and the Barangay Police Safety Officers (BPSO).

She said the previous administration initiated the revitalization of the Junior Police program to help the youth become responsible individuals.

"I am very pleased to announce that we have now moved forward with this program through the reorganization and reactivation of the Junior Police & Parents Brigade, who are our guardians for peace and order in schools and in the community," Radaza said.

She said, "We come together for the investiture of the members of the Parents Brigade as well as the induction of its executive officers. I am confident that the officers will perform their work with enthusiasm and proficiency; and I look forward to the active involvement of every member to assist the officers in carrying out their duties"

For his part, Oppus lauded city officials and the police, the students, parents, and barangay officials for the initiative.

He said the police realy need the support to maintain peace and order.

Lone district Rep. Arturo Radaza, in his message read by Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong, said he supports the creation of the Junior Police and Parents Brigade and the upgrading of barangay peace officers.

On the other hand, Acting School Division Superintendent Eduardo Ompad, said maintaining peace and order is not a responsibility of the police alone, but the whole community. (FREEMAN)