Mandaluyong mayor orders suspension of barangay tanods in shooting mishap

Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita Abalos on Friday ordered the preventive suspension of the barangay tanods allegedly involved in the "mistaken identity" shooting incident that left two people dead.

In a letter to Addition Hills Barangay Chairman Kent Faminial, Abalos condemned the senseless act of the barangay tanods who fired at the victims' vehicle after they allegedly mistook it for the getaway vehicle of the men they were chasing.

Abalos said in times that the lives of the tanods may be in peril, "their duty is not to fire shots to anyone but to immediately report the incident to police officers for the conduct of an immediate and legitimate police operation."

She also questioned why the tanods (watchmen) were carrying firearms.

"Barangay tanods are not supposed to bring firearms while in their tour of duty," she said. "Hence, the acts of barangay tanods, if news reports are accurate and proven to be true, are but deplorable."

Abalos ordered the confiscation of the firearms of the barangay tanods for determination if they are duly licensed or not.

The mayor also ordered the barangay captain to submit a comprehensive report on the matter within 24 hours.

"This hapless incident should not have happened. Nonetheless, this serves as a reminder that there are existing laws and non compliance therewith shall result to the imposition of sanctions to erring individuals," she said. —KBK, GMA News