BIN members assigned in Mambaling as tanods lose allowance

CEBU City Hall will assign Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN) members to patrol Barangay Mambaling after it received reports of “zero visibility” of tanods there.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña wrote barangay Mambaling chairman Wilfredo Go confirming that he canceled the honoraria of the tanods there effective this month.

Osmeña cited as basis reports from barangay councilmen Emier Hamis and Arturo Belcina. He said the absence of tanods was evident in the proliferation of street children at the Mambaling skywalk and the heavy traffic in the area.

Osmeña said assigning BIN members will help assure residents of their safety. The BIN members will also help gather intelligence and the Barangay Affairs Office will determine the number of BIN members to be assigned in Mambaling.

Osmeña earlier threatened to suspend the allocation of financial assistance to the tanods if he learns that they were being lazy in their work.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, deputy mayor on police matters, said the cancellation of allowances to the tanods should be a warning to all other villages in the city.

“They need to help maintain peace and order in their respective areas of responsibility. In the campaign against illegal drugs, they (tanods) are in the front line because they know their area very well. We need their support,” he said.

Tumulak said the BIN also receives an allowance from the city. “If the tanods cannot perform their duty, we’ll find a way. The BINs will help” he said.