Kalibo PNP taps more tanods, auxiliary police to fight crime
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL / Panay News

KALIBO, Aklan – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is maximizing the presence of the 51-strong Kalibo uniformed personnel to establish police visibility in the barangays.
Kalibo police chief Senior Insp. Arnolito Laguerta said the present police-to-population ratio in the town of Kalibo is 1:2,000, way below the ideal police ratio of one PNP officer for every 500 people.
He cited the contribution of 49 field-training cops assigned in Kalibo police station last September in their campaign against criminalities and the enforcement of laws.
Laguerta said two positive drug operations were conducted while five wanted persons were arrested. One person for illegal possession of firearm was apprehended for the past two months.
To remedy the shortage of policemen in Kalibo, chief of operations PO3 Julius Barrientos said they regularly conducts meetings and orientations for barangay tanods, newly-hired municipal auxiliary police and security guards as their force multipliers in the law enforcement activities and anti-crime campaign.
They also assist the Department of Trade Industry (DTI) in the monitoring of prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), he added.
Meanwhile, a total of 68 drivers were apprehended for “No Helmet, No Travel Policy” and 19 drivers of motorcycles and tricycles were arrested for “No Plate No Travel Policy” from January to February this year.
“They (police) also strictly enforced the ‘No truck ban’ municipal ordinance, especially in the congested areas near the Kalibo Public Market, where large trucks are disembarking their goods daily,” said SPO3 Benny Jones Mendoza, chief of traffic section.
Laguerta also thanked the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund, Inc. (PSMBFI) for donating three computers last month and the Soroptimist International of Kalibo for their support to the activities of Women’s and Children’s Concern Desk (WCCD).