AFTER completing over a month of law enforcement training, about 1,129 barangay tanods (village watchmen) are deployed in the city streets to augment police and traffic force, boosting security measures in Cagayan de Oro.
Police Superintendent Nelson Aganon, chief of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office said the city's barangay tanods have been upgraded, pointing out that they are now capable to manage traffic, perform a citizen’s arrest and arresting techniques, among others.
Aganon said the tanods have a system of operation, where all chief tanods are required to report to their chief of operations, announce the order of the day during formation, check their appearance before being deployed to the their assigned areas.
"Bawal ang nakainom, bawal ang walang ID, bawal ang mahaba ang buhok, kailangan they are all wearing proper uniform. So, meron silang series of tasks, hindi yung basta lang andoon lang sila sa area, may activities silang kailangan iperform," he said.
"Malaking tulong sila, and all other volunteer groups, they are very useful when it comes to enforcing the laws," he added.
The tanods are also now capable in intelligence gathering, crime scene protection and preservation, gender sensitivity, among others.
Earlier, the City Council has passed an ordinance creating a Barangay Tanod Committee in a bid to strengthen the interplay between village officials and police in their effort to stop proliferation of crimes and illegal drugs in Cagayan de Oro villages.