Chief Supt. Ronald dela Rosa, incoming chief of the Philippine National Police, has rejected the proposal to arm barangay security officers, locally known as barangay tanods.
Dela Rosa, who is expected to assume the top PNP post next month, said he will stick to the current policy of providing barangay tanods with just a stick and other non-lethal weapons.
“This will only lead to abuse. I am just being honest that there are some abusive barangay tanods and even barangay captains,” said Dela Rosa.
“In some cases, barangay tanods would end up as private armies of barangay captains so this is really a very dangerous proposal,” he added. (Aaron B. Recuenco)