DILG urges LGUs to create, strengthen barangay intel group

CEBU, Philippines - Interior Undersecretary Austere Panadero has urged all local government units in Central Visayas to form the Barangay Intelligence Networks (BIN) to help contain criminal activities, particularly the threat of terrorist groups in the region.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) undersecretary made the call following the gun battle between government troops and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the towns of Inabanga and Clarin, Bohol last month.

“How many barangays in the region do we have these kinds of capacities and systems that communities can immediately report if there are unusual things in their areas?  We have to ensure that BINs are really in place so we can deal with problems like terrorism,” Panadero said.

BIN, an anti-crime network created to further improve and maintain the province’s peace and order, is part of the auxiliary police force.

Panadero told the mayors, the barangay captains and the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC)-7 to prioritize the creation of BINs, especially in the coastal areas.

The undersecretary attended the first RPOC-7 meeting held at a hotel in Cebu City yesterday. At least 28 out of 35 members of RPOC-7 were present, including Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto.

Panadero said other barangays in the provinces of Cebu and Siquijor could use Bohol’s BIN system as a benchmark in forming their respective intelligence networks.

Chatto said the Bohol clashes have proven the efficacy of the province’s BIN and the importance of community participation in containing terrorism and ensuring public safety.

He said the BIN is a built-in system in the province’s purok network, a socio-development strategy covering health care, education, environment, livelihood, youth and sports, disaster response, and peace and orders, among others.

Each purok consists of up to 30 member-households. The system, which was enacted through a provincial ordinance way back in 2011, has become an intravenous system injecting solutions into the communities.

He said the creation of BIN is actually mandated by the DILG and so it is expected that each LGU has an established intelligence network already.

“Let us make sure BIN will be strengthened, our community participation will be enhanced and the people organization.  Organizing is very important. There are 1.3 million Boholanos and we can bend our knees in fear simply because 10 armed people enter our province. If we are not organized we will be defeated and armed men will claim victory. If 10 people are organized they can defeat 1.3 million people by just sowing fear,” Chatto said.

Chatto said LGUs should not only settle by only forming BINs but should also look into the degree and level of their preparedness.

“We always go by the thinking that every community has its own preparation. But the real test of preparedness is when the action happens. Then you will know in what aspect you are weak or strong,” he said.

“Our system is working. Whether or not it is enough, it gives us a lesson that we have to strengthen it even more kay magstorya ka’g threat--terrorism is a reality, globally. Lesson learned and challenge, you rise higher than what was really expected. We will strengthen and will make sure naka-establish ug BIN all over the province,” he added.

Panadero said community participation is the most potent measure in the fight against any form of criminality, including terrorism.

He also asked LGUs with active BINs to boost and strengthen their intelligence system to fight against criminalities.  He said the members of BINs would serve as the government forces’ eyes and ears in the communities.

"They could improve our anti-crime drive because they are familiar with the people in their localities.  These people know better who are transient or regular individuals in their barangays," he said.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, RPOC-7 chairman, said he will discuss the matter with the officials of DILG and the Police Regional Office-7.

He said it would take a lot of planning, especially the trainings and seminars for the BIN members.

The BIN has been required to undergo trainings on intelligence gathering, on basic public safety, on basic investigation, on information relay, on arresting techniques and ethical standards, on special laws, and on spotting criminal and monitoring street crimes, among others. (FREEMAN)