The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Thursday that the barangay tanod who shot and killed a mentally ill curfew violator in Tondo face murder charges.
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.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año also reminded mayors and barangay chiefs that barangay guards and other members of so-called “police auxiliary units” (PAU) could not carry firearms while performing their duties.
He reiterated the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act enacted in 2012 that revoked PAU’s authority to carry guns. It 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.
“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.
Barangay tanod who shot dead mentally ill violator to face murder charges- DILG
According to 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.”
The DILG chief added that tanods can always seek local police’s help if they feel that their life is in danger.
CCTV footage in Barangay 156 in Tondo, Manila showed barangay tanod Cesar Panlaqui apprehending a man past 9 pm on Saturday, curfew time.
When the man approached him and seemed to be beating him with a rattan, Panlaqui suddenly backed away and then pulled out and fired a gun.
But the man also backed away and walked away. There he was followed by the barangay guard and shot him.
An investigation by the Manila Police District (MPD) revealed that the 59-year-old man was mentally ill.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.