ALTERNATIVE POLICING IN THE PHILIPPINES (FROM ALTERNATIVE POLICING STYLES: CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES, P 101-108, 1993, MARK FINDLAY AND UGLJESA ZVEKIC, EDS. -- SEE NCJ-146911)

• NCJ Number: 146917
• Author(s): C S Leones
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Kluwer Law International
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Italy

Annotation

This paper describes and assesses the Philippines' use of community volunteers in cooperation with the police to patrol neighborhoods in Quezon City.

Abstract

In an effort to address problems of peace and order, President Corazon Aquino issued Memorandum Circular 103, entitled "Providing Measures for the Improvement of Police Services," on July 17, 1989. In accordance with this circular, local government executives and the police have adopted an integrated approach to the prevention and control of crime. Quezon City and Cavite were selected as pilot areas for the circular's implementation. This paper will focus only on Quezon City, an urbanized city within Metropolitan Manila. Two community surveillance systems are operating in Quezon City. The first is a joint undertaking conducted by the police and the local government called "Barangay Roving Security." The other is under the auspices of the Barangay Council and is known as the "Barangay Ronda System." The basic difference between the two systems is that the former is composed of a law enforcement officer, two police auxiliaries, and many community volunteers; the latter uses only civilian volunteers. To date, little barangay-related information is available, especially on the mechanics of the barangay ronda system. Most of the information comes from personal interviews with barangay captains or police officers. There is an apparent need to institutionalize the organization of civilian volunteer groups and development evaluation methods that will identify and address problem areas.