Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team as a Mechanism of Philippine National Police in Crime Prevention

The community oriented policing system of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has gone a long way towards providing proactive police services to the citizens. However, a continuous effort to improve the delivery of these services must be implemented as peace and order and public safety concerns are constantly evolving. The Barangay Peacekeeping Operations (BPO) and its implementors, the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPAT) are examples that the PNP does not stop at giving our countrymen the best possible policing system (BPAT Manual). This research aims to to identify the roles and functions of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team in Crime Prevention, to evaluate their performance and effectiveness in terms of crime prevention in the barangay and to discover the immediate concerns and problems encountered by BPAT in the delivery of services. The research used the quantitative method primarily through survey to get the perception of the respondents particularly members of BPAT, barangay officials and the residents. The study focused on four selected barangays: Brgy. Ibabang Dupay, Brgy. Marketview, Brgy. Cotta and Brgy. Gulang-gulang. Based on the the result, the BPAT program has created significant positive impact and their roles and functions as an arm mechanism of the Philippine National Police in crime prevention are perceived as effective. However, the respondents consistently responded the the primary problem encountered by the program is the difficulty of mobilizing the community and seeking the support of other sectors. The researchers recommended that both the national and local government as well as other private and public institutions must work hand in hand in order to sustain the BPAT and most importantly the peace and order in the entire community. The cause to fight crimes and secure the safety of everyone is not the problem of the government alone but it is an immediate concern that needs public attention and requires collective efforts.