Tanods confirm presence of gangs in South district

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City South District barangay tanods as well as their respective Gender and Development focal persons confirmed the presence of gang groups in their communities.

This, after Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the City Council committee on public order and safety, met with them following reports on the proliferation of gang groups in the city.

“Well, na-confirm nato gikan sa GAD and barangay tanods ang problema ani nga naa nasa’y gang war,” he told reporters yesterday.

Based on the accounts of the barangay tanods, these gang groups reportedly commit petty crimes in the city as part of the initiation of their members, Tumulak said.

In fact, not all of the members were from the city but also from other neighboring cities and municipalities that includes Minglanilla, and the cities of Naga and Talisay.

Records show there are at least 18 existing fraternity groups such as J. Army, Gangsters, Husher Brotherhood, Kalmados, Branston, Trydorfam, Sweetmaker Bambo, Keira Brotherhood, Famyang, Yotay, Brotherhood, Chilax Brotherhood, CRG, Stargang, Braagangs, BRP S.T.Y., and Barkadas.

The groups’ leaders reportedly recruit members ranging from eight to 30 years old, who loiters at the main thoroughfares like N. Bacalso Avenue, Barangays Punta Princesa, Tisa, Quiot, Basak San Nicolas, Basak Pardo, Cogon Pardo, Inayawan, Poblacion Pardo and Bulacao.

“These gang members are fully-armed, .45 caliber pistol.  Just recently, gipabuthan ang mga tanod.  Magdala na sila og baton nga metal nga ihapak sa ilaha tripingan,” Tumulak said.

In order to address this problem, Tumulak asked the barangay captains to strictly implement the curfew ordinance. He also wants for the strengthening of police visibility in those areas.

During the meeting, the barangay tanods vow to do their job efficiently in order to suppress the presence of fraternities that commit crimes in their communities.

The barangay tanods asked the city government to give them gasoline allowances for their mobile patrol as they conduct roving at night.

In a press conference yesterday, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he is willing to give gasoline allowances to the tanods in order to help the barangays’ peace and order situation.

“He (Tumulak) called this morning, I said no problem as long as it is for roving,” he said. (FREEMAN)