PNP launches new peace-keeping force

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) launched yesterday the Barangay Peace-keeping Action Team (BPAT), the newest peace-keeping force introduced by the Philippine National Police.

During the four-hour launching which was attended by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and CCPO Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe, at least 200 members were given orientation about the BPAT.

Rolando Basirgo, Sr., Administrative Aide VI of the CCPO Police Community Relations (PCR), said BPAT will be a partner of the Oplan Pakigsandurot which was initiated by the City Government.

With BPAT, Basirgo said Oplan Pakigsandurot will be fully integrated.

BPAT’s main components are the barangay captains, barangay tanods, and volunteers from other stakeholders. It is an initiative of the PCR in Camp Crame as a strategy to involve the community in minimizing criminality in the country.

Oplan Pakigsandurot, on the other hand, is a community-based crime prevention program that taps policemen living in the barangays to keep an eye on criminal elements.

The launching started at 10 am at the Barangay T. Padilla sports complex and was hosted by Cebu City Association of Barangay Councils President Michael Ralota.

Majority of the chiefs of the 11 police stations under CCPO and barangay captains of Labangon and San Nicolas also attended the event.

Mayor Rama emphasized in his speech the bayanihan or volunteerism among the community, barangay officials, and law enforcers.

For his part, Buenafe earlier said they will soon train barangay tanods on unarmed patrolling, self-defense, traffic management, disaster relief and rescue operations.

Police said BPAT will complement the functions of the Barangay Intelligence Network which dwells more on intelligence gathering. –  (FREEMAN)