Treñas cites tanods' role in peace and order
Mayor Jerry Treñas cited the role of barangay tanods in the maintenance of peace and order.
"We do not have enough police personnel to assign in each barangay so the initiative of the tanods to watch over their respective areas is a great help," a press statement from the City Hall's information office said, quoting what the mayor said during last week's meeting of the Iloilo City Peace and Order Council (ICPOC).
According to the statement, the mayor pointed out that the city's police force works in shifts, and cannot possibly cover each of the city's 180 barangays.
"I hope that our barangay officials and the city police continue working together to ensure the safety of our residents. The presence of authorities significantly discourages the commission of crimes," Treñas said, as quoted in the press statement
A contingent from the 6th Regional Mobile Group has been deployed to the city to help in the police visibility patrols following a spate of killings and robberies, most of which remain unsolved.
During the meeting, Treñas said, "Nevertheless, we continue to beef up our police force by providing them with new patrol cars and handheld radios for faster communication through the city and private donations."
The mayor also aired his plan to acquire an additional four patrol cars and another four motorbikes for use by the City's Special Weapons and Tactics in patrolling crime-prone areas.
Last year, City Hall purchased three patrol cars, which were then turned over to the La Paz, Arevalo and Molo police stations.