DILG exec wants checkpoints in every barangay

MANILA, Philippines — Undersecretary Martin Diño of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) wants security checkpoints set up in every barangay as a deterrent against motorcycle-riding criminals.

Diño said putting checkpoints would prevent criminals from carrying out killings and other illegal activities. The country has 42,036 barangays.

He cited the National Capital Region which has 1,706 barangays. “If we have over 1,700 checkpoints in Metro Manila, where will these riding-in-tandem criminals go?” Diño said in an interview over GMA yesterday.

Barangay executives should ask for the official receipts or certificates of registration and other documents related to the motorcycles of newbies in their areas, he said.

“We will have lesser suspected criminals going around in our barangays,” Diño said.

Sought for comment, Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa is open to Diño’s idea on the condition that the checkpoints are supervised by police officers.