The Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) of Bayambang will have significant roles when it comes to peacekeeping and crime prevention under the supervision of newly-installed Chief of Police, Superintendent Cirilo B. Acosta, Jr.

The pronouncement was made by Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao during the lecture on and training exercise for Barangay Peace-Keeping Operations for BPATs facilitated by the Municipal Local Government Office and the Municipal Police Station (MPS) last May 15 at the Municipal Events Center.

[smartslider3 slider=200]

Acosta was the former Officer-in-Charge of Bayambang Police Station, but was retained due to the request of Quiambao to the PNP’s Provincial Office because of his unprecedented effort to make Bayambang a crime-free town.

Under the Barangay Peacekeeping Operations, the BPATs will serve as a force multiplier for the PNP. They shall be under the direct supervision of the MPS, and shall function particularly for law enforcement, community organization, disaster management, environmental protection and barangay conflict resolution. BPATs shall be composed of different organized sectors in the community (tanod, youth, women, transport sector, elders, homeowners, etc.).

Quiambao also tapped the services of POSO Chief, Ret. Col. Vivencio Ramos, together with Ret. Col. and former United States Marshall Chester Martinez, to assist in the said activity.

Quiambao said the LGU will try its best to provide the proper uniform and tools for the BPATs, adding that members of BPATs should be respected and should not be neglected.

Towards this end, BPATs were taught with the proper techniques in arresting and baton-handling to further hone their skills in crime-fighting. (Bayambang PIO/Media Affairs Office)