DILG exec pushes revival of barangay intel operatives

MANILA, Philippines — Seeking to lessen the impact of illegal drugs, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is pushing for the revival of barangay intelligence operatives in communities.

DILG Undersecretary for barangay affairs Felicito Valmocina said yesterday it is time for the government to train people to detect the presence of illegal drugs in their barangays.

“Meron na ‘yan noon araw pa, yung barangay intelligence network, kumbaga bubuhayin lang (The barangay intelligence network existed before, it will just be revived),” Valmocina said in a news forum at the Dapo Restaurant and Bar in Quezon City.

Valmocina said among those who could be trained are barangay public safety officers and even residents.

He said those with the potential to become barangay intelligence operatives would undergo training to be supervised by police officers and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents.

Among these aspects are proper reporting, assessment and evaluation of information.

“Teach them ways to gather information,” Valmocina said.

The PDEA, in its report on Friday, said 7,268 barangays remain drug-affected under the administration of President Marcos.

At least 28,243 barangays were cleared of illegal drugs.

If his proposal is approved by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Valmocina said they can start among the more than 7,000 barangays where illegal drugs are rampant.

Valmocina stressed that PDEA, police and barangay officials should work together to address the drug problem instead of distrusting one another.