OVER 3,000 barangay watchers from the 182 barangays here in Davao City attended the launching of the “Enhanced Oplan Fortress” on Friday, July 27, at the Davao City Recreation Center, otherwise known as Almendras Gym.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Senior Inspector Ma Theresita Gaspan said the Oplan Fortress gathers the Barangay Ronda Patrol System as one coordinating system, the launching of which was graced by the mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and the other law enforcer units.
Barangay Ronda Patrol is mainly an integration of all watchers to the enhanced police, military/police auxiliary patrol system with the main objective of revitalizing and reorganizing them as extensions of law enforcement.
Gaspan said the barangay watchers are tasked to assist the police in the intensified operation against robbery, theft and other petty crimes prevalent in the barangays through contact, intelligence monitoring, and as visible security.
At present, each barangay has an existing 20 barangay watchers receiving an allowance from the City Government of Davao but under the supervision and control of their respective chairman.
“With this, the renewal of membership will be undertaken following basic law enforcement training and deployment. With a total 3,640 additional force, we will generate 8,989 upgraded/enhanced patrol systems,” Gaspan said.
Gaspan said the DCPO is of keen judgment that their presence would geared to a more effective deterrence against social deviants in every community.