PNP forms Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team
SAN JOSE, Antique –The Philippine National Police (PNP) through its Police Community Relations Office organized the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) in the municipality of Tobias Fornier in order to maintain peace and order in local communities
Barangay Peacekeeping Operations (BPKO) is a comprehensive and “catch all” strategy of the PNP tapping the peace and order stakeholders in the community. It also aims to help in the data and intelligence report gathering. BPKO also serve as a means to ensure the effective prevention, control and suppression of crimes and efficient management of disasters and emergencies.
BPAT shall function solely for community-based activities, info campaign in support to PNP’s anti-criminality effort, crime prevention and on-the-spot conflict resolution. For some complex cases, it maybe referred to Barangay Justice System as the situation may require, if in need of police intervention, it shall be immediately acted upon by the police and for assistance to the delivery of basic government services it must be coordinated with the local government units concerned.
The Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) is composed of various sectors in the community envisioned to help PNP in the peacekeeping operations. In the town of Tobias Fornier, Barangay Igdalaguit was chosen as the pilot area.
Meanwhile, The Armed Forces Of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (WestMincom) based in Zamboanga Peninsula deployed more combat troops in Basilan province as fierce gunbattle still rages where 20 Abu Sayyaf bandits were already reported killed and unaccounted number of others were critically wounded.
It has been reported that 22 government soldiers were killed in encounter with Abu Sayaff in Basilan province.
In her recent State of the Nation Address, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the wiping out of Abu Sayyaf bandits to pave way for the full economic development in that southern tip province of Zamboanga Peninsula.