MANILA, Philippines — Barangay tanods (village watchmen) and other members of police auxiliary units (PAU) are not allowed to carry firearms while on duty under the country’s laws, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Thursday.
The reminder came after a tanod was caught on CCTV firing at a 59-year-old scavenger who was reportedly suffering from a mental illness in Tondo, Manila. The suspect, identified as Cesar Panlaqui, claimed the victim was violating the curfew amid the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.
“While we acknowledge that barangay tanods play 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 DILG Secretary Eduardo Año in a statement.
According to Año, Republic Act No. 10591 or “The Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act” in 2012 has revoked the authority of members of PAU, which includes barangay tanods, to carry firearms which was previously allowed by Circular 2008-013 of the National Police Commission.
He explained that registered firearms of local government units can only be issued to government officials or employees with permanent plantilla positions.
“Since the barangay tanod position is not part of the plantilla, barangay tanods are, therefore, not authorized to bear firearms while on duty,” Año said.
Año then ordered local chief executives to direct all barangay tanods within their respective jurisdiction not to carry any firearm while in the performance of their duties, warning that charges will be filed if it’s not implemented properly.
Under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2003-42, barangay tanods may only use the following while on duty: nightstick with teargas with belt and holster, handcuff with holster, whistle, flashlight, raincoat, rain boots, small notebooks, ballpens and first-aid kits.
Meanwhile, DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the Philippine National Police is already investigating the incident and is set to file murder charges against the said tanod.
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