MANILA, Philippines – A total of 175 erring police officers have been fired under the Aquino administration for various cases, according to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo.
He added that most of the axed police officers were involved in illegal drugs.
Robredo warned rogue police officers that the DILG will not coddle them.
He, however, assured that those who are sued because of fulfilling their duties will receive full support from the government.
He said President Benigno Aquino III has earmarked P5 million for legal assistance to police officers.
Robredo, meanwhile, said DILG had urged local government units (LGUs) nationwide to come up with ordinances that will increase the number of tanods in the country’s 42,000 barangays.
He said there is a need to have additional tanod in every barangay to curb criminality.
“City and municipal councils should come up with ordinances that would be a concrete basis for it,” he said.
Under the Local Government Code of 1991, the number of tanod in every barangay should not exceed 20.
Robredo, however, said that Section 391 (16) of the Local Government Code of 1991 provides for the “organization of community brigades, barangay tanod, or community service units as may be necessary.”
He said that under the proposal, the number of barangay tanods should be based on villages’ population and their capacity to provide for the insurance and benefits of watchmen. – with a report from radio dzMM
