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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Barangay tanod not allowed to carry firearms, DILG says after Tondo shooting

Barangay tanod not allowed to carry firearms, DILG says after Tondo shooting

Published Aug 12, 2021 08:41 am

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified on Thursday, Aug. 12, that barangay tanod (barangay security officers) and other members of the “police auxiliary units (PAU)’’ are not allowed under the law to carry firearms while on official duties and other functions.

DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año explained that Republic Act (RA) No. 10591 (The Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) enacted in 2012 has revoked the authority of PAU including the barangay security officers to carry firearms which was previously allowed by Circular 2008-013 of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).

Under DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2003-42, a barangay tanod may use are the following: nightstick with teargas with belt and holster, handcuff with holster, whistle, flashlight, raincoat, rain boots, small notebooks and ballpens and first-aid kits.

“While we acknowledge that barangay tanod plays a complementary role to local authorities in the maintenance of the peace of order in their respective communities, we firmly reiterate that they are not authorized to carry any firearm in the performance of their duties even if they own these firearms,” said Año.

Año said the law is clear that registered firearms of the local government units (LGUs) shall only be issued to a government official or employee with a permanent plantilla position.

“Since the barangay security officer position is not part of the plantilla, they are, therefore, not authorized to bear firearms while on duty,” he added.

The DILG chief ordered the local chief executives (LCEs) to direct all their barangay security officers not to carry any firearm while in the performance of their duties and functions or face charges from the DILG.

If a barangay tanod feels that they are in a potentially dangerous situation, Año pointed out that they can always seek the help of the local police or other barangay tanods.

On August 7, Cesar Panlaqui, a barangay tanod of Barangay 156 in Tondo, Manila allegedly gunned down Eduardo Geñoga along Tayuman Street after the latter approached the former with a stick.

Filing of charges

DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya reminded the barangay security officers “not to be reckless and hotheaded in dealing with curfew violators and enforcing quarantine regulations.’’

“While we want the public to abide by health protocols, hindi dapat pairalin ang init ng ulo at maging padalos-dalos sa pagpapatupad ng mga regulasyon. Ang lahat naman ay madadaan sa maayos na paalala (of the law) at pakikipag-usap (they should not be hot headed and impulsive in enforcing regulations. This could be done through a proper reminder and civil communication),’’ Malaya said.

Malaya said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is already investigating Barangay 156 Tondo incident and is set to file murder charges against Panlaqui.

“Hindi natin palalampasin ang pagmamalabis sa tungkulin ng mga barangay tanod o ng sinumang lokal na opisyal na umaabuso sa kanilang tungkulin (We will not let the abusive acts of the barangay tanod or any local official who abuse their power),” he maintained.

“Let this be a reminder to our fellow public servants, our barangay tanods, to stick to the letter of the law as they enforce health protocols during the pandemic,” Malaya added. (Chito A. Chavez)

Related Tags

barangay tanods not allowed to carry guns batuta DILG memorandum Circular No. 2003-42 Jonathan Malaya DILG Eduardo Año 2
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