By Allan June Molde
DUMALINAO, Zamboanga del Sur, February 28 (PIA) - - - “Believing that tanods are the best source of intelligence report as well as force multipliers in their respective barangays, equipping them with the needed knowledge and skills would be very relevant in the discharge of their duties and functions.” This is the idea shared between the local government of Dumalinao under the sterling leadership of Hon. Ace William E. Cerilles and the support of PNP Chief Inspector Lee Eric Humpa.
Three hundred (300) Barangay Tanods from the 30 barangays of Dumalinao actively participated in the Tanod/BPATS (Barangay Peace Keeping Action Team) Seminar held on February 22-24 at Dumalinao Municipal Gym.
In his message during the Opening Ceremony of the 3-day activity, Mayor Ace expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the support of all barangay captains who brought along their participants and attentively listened to the lectures.
Mayor Ace also recognized the relevance of information from respective barangays whereby our police force will be able to immediately respond whenever distress calls are made by barangays who cannot anymore handle certain situations and the need for police presence is urged. He further committed to help all the tanods in the exercise of their duties by providing them the needed equipments such as uniforms, flashlights and other paraphernalia.
Mayor Ace received a standing ovation from the participants who were so happy that all concerns were addressed by the young mayor giving them his overwhelming support.
ABC President Julieto Penonal said, “Mayor Ace has been instrumental in keeping Dumalinao one of the safest towns in the province because of the kind of support he has done for the Tanods and to the police force in general.” He further shared that, “even petty crimes have been eliminated because people in Dumalinao have been helping each other. Penonal further said that barangay officials were one in saying that Mayor Ace has initiated reforms to safeguard peace and order in Dumalinao.
Moreover, PSI Lee Eric Humpa, Dumalinao police chief said that he is very happy with the outcome and support of the LGU particularly Mayor Ace Cerilles for making the activity possible. He said that part of their mandate is to provide basic training and information to the tanods recognizing them as great help to the PNP in the maintenance of peace and order. “Dumalinao is the first municipality in the province who underwent such training. These tanods are now equipped to discharge their duties and functions, that is to help maintain peace and order in their respective barangays”, concluded Humpa. (Allan June A. Molde/ALT/PIA9-Zambo Sur)