AFP, PNP mull training on crime prevention, fighting insurgency, disaster response
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are planning to embark on province-wide training on bantay barangay and cooperative, following the success of the recent exercises held in Barangays Ulwangan in Leon and San Antonio in San Miguel, all in Iloilo.
AFP 32nd Civil Relations Unit chief, Capt. Lowen Gil Marquez said the training would focus on cooperatives; fighting criminalities, especially illegal drugs; protection from the deception and extortion activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) and conduct of rescue operations during disasters.
Marquez said he would like to see barangay residents organized so that together they can fight insurgency.
Ulwangan and San Antonio, he said, are among the two hinterland barangays in the province that are very supportive of authorities' campaign against insurgency.
A total of 72 participants -- 34 from Ulwangan and 38 from San Antonio -- completed the trainings.
Marquez said another training will soon be conducted in Brgy. Magkapay, which is situated adjacent to Brgy. Ulwangan.
Barangay captains of five hinterland barangays in the Municipality of Janiuay have also requested for the same training.
Marquez, however, declined to disclose the names of barangays for security reasons, adding that they still have to assess the areas.
"The barangay officials claimed that they were threatened by several armed groups but we have to assess the situation first," he said.
He said the plan is to cover the entire province and the first step is to do it at the barangay level.
Two weeks ago, during a consultative meeting with Commissioner Dante Jimenez of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) Regional Intelligence Division disclosed that insurgency remains to be the 'most potent threat' as far as the peace and order situation in Western Visayas is concerned.
It was also revealed that 3.92 percent or 159 of the 4, 050 barangays in the region have been infiltrated by the two prominent factions of the CPP/NPA/NDF. (PNA)