Davor police hold 1st BPAT sports competition

DAVAO ORIENTAL - The Davao Oriental Provincial Police Office held last May 22 the country’s first sports competition participated by Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) from all 10 municipalities and one city of this province.

Dubbed as “Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team Olympic Competition”, the event was aimed at promoting physical agility, endurance and alertness.

Aside from that, it intended to foster camaraderie and mold trust and confidence between the police and the BPATs who partner with the police force in fighting crimes, said PSI Carmelo Peteros.

DOPPO Provincial Director, PSSUPT Jose C. Carumba lauded the efforts of the BPATs whose voluntary works helped the police force in maintaining the peace and order in the community. Acting as first responders on the ground whenever there are commotions in the communities, the BPATs are trained not only in combat with the use of martial arts skills, but as well as capacitated in responding to medical emergencies through first aid and basic life support. Recognizing their contribution as part of an effective community policing machinery, Board Member Larry Taya, who was guest speaker during the event’s opening program, committed to support the institutionalization of the sports event into a yearly activity by crafting an ordinance to be passed to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Should the ordinance be approved, the activity will be allocated with appropriate funding. “The BPATs role as the first responders during crisis situation in the barangay is very important,” he noted.