Murder raps to be filed vs. Tondo tanod behind fatal shooting of curfew violator —DILG

The barangay security officer who shot and killed a curfew violator in Manila will face murder complaints, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Thursday.

In a statement, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the Philippine National Police (PNP) “is set to file murder charges against the erring barangay tanod.”

“Let this be a reminder to our fellow public servants, our barangay tanods, to stick to the letter of the law as they enforce health protocols during the pandemic,” he said.

On Saturday night, Cesar Panlaqui of Barangay 156 in Tondo, Manila, gunned down a curfew violator who is allegedly suffering from mental illness. Panlaqui said he shot the victim in self-defense as the victim was approaching him carrying a stick.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año called on mayors to order all barangay tanods within their respective jurisdictions not to carry any firearm while on duty or “face charges from the DILG.”

Barangay tanods and other members of so-called “police auxiliary units”  (PAU) are not allowed under the law to carry firearms in the performance of their official duties and functions, the DILG said.

Año cited the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act enacted in 2012 that revoked PAU’s authority to carry firearms, which was previously allowed by Circular 2008-013 of the National Police Commission.

“We firmly reiterate that they are not authorized to carry any firearm in the performance of their duties even if they own these firearms,” he said.

According to him, the law is clear that registered firearms of local government units  shall only be issued to a government official or employee with a permanent plantilla position.

“Since the barangay tanod position is not part of the plantilla, barangay tanods are, therefore, not authorized to bear firearms while on duty,” he said.

Under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2003-42, barangay tanods may only carry nightstick with teargas, belt and holster; handcuff with holster; whistle; flashlight; raincoat; rain boots; small notebooks and ballpens; and first-aid kits.

If a barangay tanod feels he or she is in danger, Año said they can always seek the help of the local police or other barangay tanods. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News