The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) launched a revised handbook for barangay watchmen (tanods).
In a statement on Thursday, the DILG explained: ‘Instructions for barangay tanods as first responders were improved to become effective agents in providing aid and support in procedures undertaken at a crime scene.’
‘It also includes their roles in upholding the laws concerning gender and development, child protection, cultural sensitivity, and human rights protection,’ the department added.
The DILG said the revised handbook was a collaboration with its National Barangay Operations Office and the Justice Sector Coordinating Council.
The handbook can be accessed through bit.ly/2025TanodGuidebook. The department cited the Local Government Code, which tasks barangay councils with deploying tanods as part of their peace and order mechanisms.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) previously said it was considering tapping barangay tanods as part of its enhanced law enforcement visibility measures.