Capitol Gives VAWC, Search and Seizure Training to Barangay Officials

The Provincial Legal Office (PLO) sets out legal training to some 380 people including barangay officials, tanods (local defenders), and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa (Barangay Justice) of Minglanilla town on Tuesday, November 22.

Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega said the seminar, under its Barangay Legal Outreach Program (BLOP), aims to enhance the awareness of the participants in managing the affairs of the barangays.

“The seminar tackled a wide array of topics including laws governing search and seizure, warrantless arrests and law on Violence against Women and Children as well as mediation techniques,” said Ortega.

Republic Act 9262, otherwise known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, penalizes all forms of abuse and violence within the family including intimate relationship. The law classifies violence against women and children (VAWC) as a public crime.

Gov. Hilario P. Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, along with town officials, graced the event that also included discussion on drafting ordinances and resolutions. The outreach also shared parliamentary techniques to council officials.

First district board member Yolanda Daan also attended the program.

Barangay Manduang councilor Jacinta Bastida said she found the seminar useful in her legislative work, adding that it was the first time she learned the difference between simple and absolute majority votes in passing resolutions and ordinances.

Moreover, Police Regional Crime Laboratory Office 7 head Supt. Romer Daguno demonstrated the principles of evidence preservation and basic crime scene investigation and protection.

Participants, especially barangay tanods, were able to engage in an actual investigation and evidence preservation through a dramatized crime scene.

“Karon pa gyud ko nakahibaw kon unsaon ang saktong pag bantay sa crime scene,” said Edetha Zabata, 45, a tanod of Barangay Tunghaan for three years.

Zabata said she is looking forward for more similar activities from the Capitol so that they can upgrade their knowledge and help police authorities in carrying out law enforcement duties. (Kelvin Canizares)

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