PALAYAN CITY – The drive to uplift the peace and order condition in Nueva Ecija received a big boost after over 6,000 volunteers signed in over the weekend to a new community-based policing system.
Senior Supt. Ricardo Marquez, director of the Nueva Ecija police provincial office (NEPPO), said the volunteer group called Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) will serve as force multiplier for the police.
“These volunteers have no arms,” Marquez said thus quelling apprehension that the teams would turn into private armies, just what happened with the civilian volunteer organizations in Maguindanao.
Instead, Marquez said, BPATs members were trained in barangay level conflict resolution as well as crisis management, particularly during calamities and disasters.
BPATs would also compliment police efforts in intelligence gathering, according to Marquez.
The BPATs were organized by the police and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) with units down to every barangay in Nueva Ecija’s 27 towns and five cities.
Gov. Aurelio Umali who graced the launching held at the Nueva Ecija Sports Complex here lauded the program, underscoring his own campaign for upgraded peace and order.
The governor earlier said he would bat for the stay of Marquez at the NEPPO amid movements in police posts during election periods.
Senior Supt. Ricardo Marquez, director of the Nueva Ecija police provincial office (NEPPO), said the volunteer group called Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) will serve as force multiplier for the police.
“These volunteers have no arms,” Marquez said thus quelling apprehension that the teams would turn into private armies, just what happened with the civilian volunteer organizations in Maguindanao.
Instead, Marquez said, BPATs members were trained in barangay level conflict resolution as well as crisis management, particularly during calamities and disasters.
BPATs would also compliment police efforts in intelligence gathering, according to Marquez.
The BPATs were organized by the police and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) with units down to every barangay in Nueva Ecija’s 27 towns and five cities.
Gov. Aurelio Umali who graced the launching held at the Nueva Ecija Sports Complex here lauded the program, underscoring his own campaign for upgraded peace and order.
The governor earlier said he would bat for the stay of Marquez at the NEPPO amid movements in police posts during election periods.
