By Jennifer P. Rendon
Sixty-eight barangay tanod (village watchmen) from Cabatuan, Iloilo, have become the first batch of trainees in the police-initiated training under the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO)’s “Tanod Academy” program.
The tanod chiefs participated in a three-day training from June 17 to June 19, focusing on crime prevention, patrolling, proper arrest techniques, and self-defense.
The training was part of a soft launch, with a full-scale launch planned for next month.
Lieutenant Colonel Jojo Tabaloc, chief of IPPO’s Provincial Community Affairs and Development Unit (PCADU), explained the thrust of the training.
“The program aims to transform tanods into a potent force in community crime intervention, especially concerning the eight focus crimes: murder, homicide, rape, physical injury, robbery, theft, motor vehicle theft, and motorcycle theft,” he said.
Personnel from IPPO and local police stations served as trainers. Additionally, staff from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) were invited to discuss search and rescue, first aid, and basic firefighting.
“They also had morning exercises and night classes on patrolling,” Tabaloc said.
Since this was a train-the-trainers program, the tanod chiefs are expected to share their new knowledge with other members of their teams at the barangay level.
Tabaloc mentioned that the soft launch would help them assess and make necessary adjustments before expanding the training to other towns next month.
