'Baylehan' off-limits to cops
Policemen would no longer be posted in areas where benefit dances are being held so that they will not be vulnerable to attacks by the communist rebels.
This was ordered by Chief Supt. Doroteo Reyes II, regional director, Police Regional Office 6, following an unfortunate incident in a benefit dance in Escalante City which caused the lives of two policemen.
Benefit dances, locally known as "binayle", are usually held to enliven the fiesta celebration in the barangays.
Two cops--PO1 Delfin Villacampa and PO1 Alfred Escala--were slain by four suspects believed to be members of the communist rebels while they were watching over a benefit dance in Brgy. Mabini, Escalante City, Negros Occidental last week.
The suspects, armed with long firearms, fled after shooting the victims.
In his order, Reyes stated that policemen would no longer be placed on areas where benefit dances or other occasions are held in order not to make them easy targets of communist rebels. He said barangay tanods should be tasked to secure a certain occasion in the barangays.
However, the barangay captain or any barangay official, for that matter, should establish an open line of communication with the police.
Reyes said although the police would not be visible in the area they would be positioned in places where they could respond immediately once called by the barangay captain.
Reyes said the move would make the police not vulnerable to communist rebels who usually mix up with ordinary individuals when there are occasions.
Meanwhile, The News Today learned that some barangay officials do not welcome the said move.
One village chief reached by TNT said police visibility is very important in occasions like a benefit dance as it maintains peace and order in the area.
The same village chief said barangay tanods lack in numbers enough to secure a certain barangay occasion.
Earlier, communist New People's Army (NPA) vowed to intensify attacks against government elements targeting municipal police stations particularly in far-flung municipalities.
Last year, the Tubungan police station in southern Iloilo was attacked by NPA rebels in broad daylight carting away several firearms.