DILG urges LGUs to create,

strengthen barangay intel group

Kristine B. Quintas (The Freeman) - May 4, 2017 - 12:00am
CEBU, Philippines - Interior Undersecretary Austere Panadero has urged all local
government units in Central Visayas to form the Barangay Intelligence Networks (BIN)
to help contain criminal activities, particularly the threat of terrorist groups in the region.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) undersecretary made the call
following the gun battle between government troops and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)
in the towns of Inabanga and Clarin, Bohol last month.

“How many barangays in the region do we have these kinds of capacities and systems
that communities can immediately report if there are unusual things in their areas? We
have to ensure that BINs are really in place so we can deal with problems like
terrorism,” Panadero said.

BIN, an anti-crime network created to further improve and maintain the province’s peace
and order, is part of the auxiliary police force.

Panadero told the mayors, the barangay captains and the Regional Peace and Order
Council (RPOC)-7 to prioritize the creation of BINs, especially in the coastal areas.

The undersecretary attended the first RPOC-7 meeting held at a hotel in Cebu City
yesterday. At least 28 out of 35 members of RPOC-7 were present, including Bohol
Governor Edgar Chatto.

Panadero said other barangays in the provinces of Cebu and Siquijor could use Bohol’s
BIN system as a benchmark in forming their respective intelligence networks.

Chatto said the Bohol clashes have proven the efficacy of the province’s BIN and the
importance of community participation in containing terrorism and ensuring public
safety.

He said the BIN is a built-in system in the province’s purok network, a socio-
development strategy covering health care, education, environment, livelihood, youth
and sports, disaster response, and peace and orders, among others.

Each purok consists of up to 30 member-households. The system, which was enacted

through a provincial ordinance way back in 2011, has become an intravenous system
injecting solutions into the communities.

He said the creation of BIN is actually mandated by the DILG and so it is expected that
each LGU has an established intelligence network already.
“Let us make sure BIN will be strengthened, our community participation will be
enhanced and the people organization. Organizing is very important. There are 1.3
million Boholanos and we can bend our knees in fear simply because 10 armed people
enter our province. If we are not organized we will be defeated and armed men will
claim victory. If 10 people are organized they can defeat 1.3 million people by just
sowing fear,” Chatto said.

Chatto said LGUs should not only settle by only forming BINs but should also look into
the degree and level of their preparedness.

“We always go by the thinking that every community has its own preparation. But the
real test of preparedness is when the action happens. Then you will know in what
aspect you are weak or strong,” he said.

“Our system is working. Whether or not it is enough, it gives us a lesson that we have to
strengthen it even more kay magstorya ka’g threat--terrorism is a reality, globally.
Lesson learned and challenge, you rise higher than what was really expected. We will
strengthen and will make sure naka-establish ug BIN all over the province,” he added.

Panadero said community participation is the most potent measure in the fight against
any form of criminality, including terrorism.

He also asked LGUs with active BINs to boost and strengthen their intelligence system
to fight against criminalities. He said the members of BINs would serve as the
government forces’ eyes and ears in the communities.

"They could improve our anti-crime drive because they are familiar with the people in
their localities. These people know better who are transient or regular individuals in
their barangays," he said.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, RPOC-7 chairman, said he will discuss the matter
with the officials of DILG and the Police Regional Office-7.

He said it would take a lot of planning, especially the trainings and seminars for the BIN
members.

The BIN has been required to undergo trainings on intelligence gathering, on basic
public safety, on basic investigation, on information relay, on arresting techniques and
ethical standards, on special laws, and on spotting criminal and monitoring street
crimes, among others. (FREEMAN)

PADAC launches Barangay Information Network (BIN) program in

South Cotabato
The Provincial Anti Drug Abuse Council has launched early this week the
Barangay Information Network (BIN) to gain support from the barangay
level especially on the government’s fights against criminalities.

PADAC Permanent Representative and Boardmember Agustin Dema-ala led

the launching of the BIN program which coincided with the 21st PCR Month
Culmination Ceremonial and turn-over of Anti Illegal Drugs Information
Materials at the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office.

Dema-ala said, the program guarantees the availability of constant, timely,

accurate and reliable information needed by police authorities to fight
lawless elements coming from the grassroots level.

To jumpstarts the program, at least 18 barangays within the province’s ten

towns and lone city will be the proposed sites for the program.

These include Zones 1,2,3 and 4 in Koronadal City; Brgy. Poblacion and
Brgy. Puti in Norala; Brgy. Poblacion and Brgy. Ambalgan in Sto. Nino; B rgy.
Poblacion and Brgy. San Felipe in Tantangan; and all of the Barangay
Poblacions, considered as highly populated areas in the Municipalities of
Surallah, Tboli, Tampakan, Tupi, Banga, Lake Sebu, Surallah and Polomolok.

Dema-ala said, BIN informants will be tapped and trained on intelligence

collection operation from among the local residents coming from the
abovementioned barangays.

“They will also become complimentary to the civilian volunteer groups”.

Dema-ala s

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.

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