Police units nationwide have been ordered to strengthen coordination with local officials in the conduct of training and other programs for security officers (barangay tanod).

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said village watchers not only maintain peace and order but also monitor suspicious activities in communities. Nartatez said the

“They are the community’s first line of response not only in peace and order but also in disaster and other emergency situations,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a news release on Monday.

“As our community partners, the Philippine National Police has the responsibility to ensure that they are equipped with proper knowledge and skills to ensure that their mandate is done properly and to ensure their safety.”

Part of the training program that the PNP wants to strengthen is on basic safety and proper procedure in dealing with law offenders, basic intelligence-gathering, and disaster and other emergency and life-saving responses.

“Ang ating mga barangay tanod ang unang responde sa anumang aksidente or insidente sa kanilang mga lugar (Our village watchers are the first responders to any accident or incident in their areas). We might as well strengthen their capability on basic peace and order matters that include anti-crime measures and even the preservation of a crime scene,” Nartatez said. (PNA)