Girl gang keeps Pateros barangay safe from crime

The residents of Barangay Sta. Ana in Pateros enjoy safer streets at night, thanks to an unlikely group of protectors —17 women and one guy who patrol the roads tirelessly to deter criminality in their neighborhood.

The “Ronda ng mga Kababaihan” roam the streets of their city’s biggest barangay every night with nothing but flashlights in their hands.

“Nabuo po ito noong December 2016 noong kasagsagan ng [Oplan] Tokhang. Binuo po namin ito para maiwasan po ‘yung dating may nangyaring namatay po dito sa lugar namin di na maulit,” team leader Jenny Helo said.

In 2016, the grandson of Milagrosa was killed by eight men hiding their faces behind bonnets.

Following his death, Milagrosa’s grandchild Erico decided to join the patrol.

“Ginagawa po namin ‘to para magkaroon po kami ng proteksiyon dito sa lugar namin, para hindi na po maulit ‘yung nangyari sa tiyo at pinsan ko,” he said.

Watch this Stand for Truth report by Nico Waje to learn more about the Ronda ng mga Kababaihan. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News