New ICPO chief to involve barangays in crime prevention

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Force multipliers, particularly barangay officials and tanods (village watchmen), will play a big role in Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO)’s crime prevention efforts.

This was the initial plan of newly installed ICPO director Colonel Leo Batiles following his formal assumption of office on Monday, Nov 8, 2021.

Batiles, a member of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class 1994, succeeded Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos, who is about to retire from police service on Dec. 7, 2021.

Batiles said he would maximize the functions of barangay officials and tanods in the maintenance of peace and order in the metropolis.

“They can join us in our works pertaining to crime prevention. Barangay tanods play a vital role in crime reporting because they are usually the first responders,” he said.

Batiles said police response to incidents depends on how fast the report reaches their attention.

“We want to institutionalize the reporting scheme from the barangay to the police,” he said.

This plan is also associated with Batiles’ effort to heighten police visibility efforts.

“In areas where the public usually converge, the people feel more safer if there are policemen,” he said.

Aside from foot patrols, Batiles said police would also intensify their mobile patrol efforts.

“Police visibility has been proven to decrease the possibility of crimes getting committed,” he said.

As to the other programs, Batiles asked that he be given a week for him to study the reports of his subordinate commanders.

“Let’s us look for ways how to further improve our police work and performance,” he said.

Before leading the ICPO, Batiles headed the Regional Headquarters Support Unit 6 (RHSU-6) based in Camp Delgado, Iloilo City.

He also led the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RFMB)-6. He was also designated as deputy provincial director of Capiz PNP a few years back.

Several years ago, he also led the Escalante City Police Station in Negros Occidental.