CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (September 3) – The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) acknowledged on Tuesday the importance of barangay local governments as effective crime-prevention partners.
During a symposium, Corporal Primitivo Dagatan Jr., COCPO’s community relations focal person, stated that communities and police play complimentary roles in addressing crime incidences in their areas.
“The barangays, through the tanod (village watchpersons), are essential force multipliers as they are the first line of defense, especially in dealing with minor disputes,” according to him.
The COCPO, in collaboration with the National Police Commission-Northern Mindanao (Napolcom-10), is taking part in the 31st National Crime Prevention Week, which takes place yearly in the first week of September.
According to Robert Lou Elango, chair of the Napolcom-10 project advisory board, protecting oneself and one’s property involves the collaboration of residents as well as the government.
