MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte called on the country’s barangay (village) officials to do their Constitutional duty to protect the people amid the “rampaging crime” he promised to address until the final day of his term.
Duterte made this challenge in his speech during the oath taking of 1,049 newly-elected barangay chiefs in Region 9 at Limketkai Atrium in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday night.
“Now what is your relevance taking an oath of office? That I will support and defend the Constitution, that I will enforce the Constitution,” Duterte said.
“Because if reduced it in about a few words, your duty or everybody else’s duty that took the oath of office using the same words, using the same phrases in reciting the oath of office, it simply says — I will shorten it for you: that you have to protect the people. You barangay captains, you must see to it that the nation is preserved,” he added.
Duterte, mayor for 23 years in Davao City, said barangays are mandated to enforce national laws that protect every citizen particularly from criminality and illegal drugs.
“If you are a part of a municipality, then you become a part of the Executive department and local and you’d (ensure) that the laws are faithfully executed. Now in times of crisis such as now, there’s a rampaging crime out of control. I’m facing terrorism,” he said.
Anti-loitering drive
He said local leaders, particularly in the barangays, are duty bound to implement local government unit (LGUs)’s ordinances particularly the campaign to clear the streets of “tambays” (loiterers) to prevent crime and instill discipline.
Duterte said his anti-loitering drive is legal “until the Supreme Court says it is illegal”.
“Until the Supreme Court says or court says that I cannot do it… I am now invoking the police power of the state to establish order and safety. That is not subject to legislation,” Duterte said.
“We call them ‘istambay’. That’s the word. That is my order and you continue to frisk people who are there on the streets and that is legal,” he added.
He explained that loiterers who are minors will not be arrested but will be taken into custody or “to a safe place for the night for their protection”.
“That’s your (barangay officials) job. If minors, bring them to barangay hall, call the DSWD, feed them and release them in the morning. It should be the barangay captain who will deliver the children to the family,” Duterte explained.
Duterte, a former fiscal, said the President, under the principle of “parens patriae”, can take custody of minors “for their own protection”.
“There is the Constitution but there is our obligation to protect the people under the theory of parens patriae. That is not written but it is the bedrock that holds the role of Constitution. The father of the nation should protect his children,” he said.
He said the country’s President down to the barangay leader can issue regulations and ordinances for the safety and the general welfare of the people.
“You barangay captains, do what is your duty. You are more than just a policeman because you are mayors, you are the governors and the president of your barangays,” he said.
He threatened to charge barangay chiefs, who do not perform their constitutional duties to promote the general welfare of their constituents, with “gross neglect”
“Now, if you cannot do it, and the records will show that crime rate and illegal drugs are high, then I will charge you with neglect and the next time is gross neglect,” Duterte warned.
Attitude towards rebels
“I’m trying to imbue you with your duties that you seem to have forgotten,” he added.
Duterte also discouraged barangay chiefs from taking “nonchalant attitude” towards the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of Communist Party of the Philippines.
“Do not be offended. If you’re not the ones, so fine. Let it pass. Many of you, if not outright supporting the NPAs, you are taking a nonchalant attitude,” he said.
He vowed to continue his fight against illegal drugs and criminality despite a decline in the crime rate based on the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.
Arming barangay officials
“While the survey saw a decline in the number of Filipinos who fear walking on the streets at night and that robbers might break in into their homes, a majority still believe that such is likely to happen,” Duterte said.
Duterte, meanwhile, said he will study the proposal to arm barangay officials “for self-defense”.
“Now, you want arms, let’s talk about it. But only because you are persons in authority,” Duterte said.
“A shotgun or .22 Magnum will do. I will not give the powerful one. If you carry these things, be sure that you are carrying it legally. We will conduct seminars before I will allow you,” he added.
Duterte assured “legal assistance” to barangay leaders provided that they perform their duties according to the law.
“I will help you. For along as your work is legal, you have no problem. Do not be afraid. That is my guarantee. As a matter of fact, I will not allow you to go to prison,” Duterte said, drawing applause from barangay leaders who won the local elections last May 14.
The country has over 42,000 barangays, which are under the supervision of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. (Jelly Musico/PNA)