Peace and Order Council

Why a Peace and Order Council was created by the President?
What is the purpose of the Council?

On Novermber 11, 1987, then President Corazon C. Aquino, issued Executive Order No. 309, reorganizing the Peace and Order Council from the national to the city or municipal level.

It was established because of the threat to peace and order posed by criminality, insurgency and subversion that requires the dedicated efforts of all government officials and citizens.

Aquino emphasized the need of government efforts to fully coordinate for effective maintenance of public order and safety in the country. She urged the participation of the citizenry in peace and order.

On March 11, 1988, she amended EO 309. In Section 2, thereof, it states: Section 3 of Executive Order No. 309 is further amended to read as follows:

“(d) To receive complaints against government personnel, civilian, or military, and indorse the same to the agency concerned and demand/compel such agency to submit reports of action taken thereon.”

The above subparagraph was added to give more power to the Peace and Order Council. Note the inclusion of the military personnel.

On recent August 22, the CPOC of Ormoc City passed a Resolution No. 2012-02, requesting the Secretary of the Department of National Defense, Hon. Voltaire T. Gazmin, thru Major General Gerardo T. Layug, 8th Infantry Division Commander, to transfer Lieutenant Colonel Edgrdo Batenga from the 802nd Brigade.

The Resolution states that CPOC is fully aware that Barangay Camp Downes of Ormoc City has always been a peaceful barangay with peace-loving residents and barangay officials. CPOC denounced Batenga’s transfer to 802nd Brigade caused unpleasant encounters between the military force and the residents and barangay officials of Barangay Camp Downes.

It reported that Batenga with his subordinates/military personnel who are fully armed, has been demolishing the houses of Camp Downes’ residents without the proper authorization and documents issued by competent authorities. The demolitions headed by Batenga has caused some panic and fright in the Barangay and has even caused the death of one of its residents due to a heart failure.

CPOC emphasized that the trust, confidence and rapport that the military has established over the years with the residents of Camp Downes has been replaced by fear and terror. Batenga

By: Fidel D. Banzon

Short URL: http://leytesamardaily.net/?p=33076