Siay Police Brings “Kapehan sa Barangay” to Siloh, Strengthening Community Partnership

Daphne Santuyo

SIAY, Zamboanga Sibugay — The Siay Municipal Police Station brought its community engagement efforts closer to residents through the second round of “Kapehan sa Barangay,” held on August 1, 2026, in Barangay Siloh, Siay.

Led by PLT Randy M. Balingit, OIC of the Siay Municipal Police Station, the initiative provided a relaxed setting where police personnel and community members could sit down, exchange views and discuss concerns affecting peace and security in the barangay.

The activity is part of the “Kapehan sa Barangay” initiative of the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office (ZSBPPO) under Provincial Director PCOL Barnard Danie V. Dasugo, which promotes direct dialogue between police officers and the communities they serve.

KAPEHAN stands for “Kaagapay Ang Pulisya sa Epektibong Hangaríng na Ayusin ang Nasasakupan,” reflecting the program’s objective of encouraging residents to become active partners of the police in addressing local concerns and maintaining peace and order.

Unlike conventional police-community meetings, the initiative uses an informal conversation over coffee to encourage residents to speak openly, raise concerns and offer suggestions without the atmosphere of a formal conference or official hearing.

In Siloh, the discussion brought together Barangay Captain Prinel K. Adlaon, members of the Barangay Council, representatives of the Council of Elders, force multipliers, women and youth sectors, providing different segments of the community an opportunity to participate in the conversation.

The broad participation underscored the importance of hearing from various sectors when identifying community concerns and developing appropriate responses to issues involving public safety, peace and order.

The dialogue also allowed police personnel to gain a better understanding of concerns on the ground while encouraging residents to actively participate in efforts to keep their community peaceful and secure.

Through the program, the police emphasized that maintaining peace cannot depend solely on law enforcement. Community members play an equally important role by reporting concerns, supporting preventive measures and working with authorities in addressing problems before they escalate.

The Siay police station’s conduct of the second Kapehan sa Barangay in Siloh also reinforces the importance of visibility, accessibility and open communication in building public trust.