Eduardo Año —EV ESPIRITU
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday warned barangay chairs that they would be held liable should their tanod (watchmen) be caught using guns.
According to DILG officer in charge Eduardo Año, all local watchmen should not be carrying guns while on patrol.
They can equip themselves only with nightsticks, teargas canisters, handcuffs, whistles, flashlights, rain protection gear, pens and notepads, and first-aid kits, he said in a statement.
Año stressed that under the law, a barangay tanod is not allowed to carry firearms even in the performance of his task of maintaining peace and order in the community.
The Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2012 had revoked the authority of police auxiliary units to carry guns, which used to be allowed under a National Police Commission (Napolcom) circular, he added.
“Being responsible for choosing and having direct supervision over barangay [watchmen], barangay captains are also responsible for the manner by which these tanod carry out their duties,” Año said.
“We need to make it clear and remind them that they are not authorized to carry guns even if these are personally owned and they have permits to carry firearms outside of residence.”
“If our barangay tanod see themselves in a potentially dangerous situation, they should seek the help of their local police officers. That’s the job of the police,” Año added.
Only barangay captains are allowed under the Local Government Code to carry guns to maintain peace in the community. —Jeannette I. Andrade