International security experts propose training for Cebu City police

CEBU, Philippines – Following the August 23 hostage taking crisis in Manila that put in question the reliability and dependability of the country's security, the Cebu City Government mulls the hiring of international experts to train the police and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) on anti-terrorist attacks and emergency situations.

The idea came when an Israeli company proposed services to the City last month because they believe that there is a need to change the status quo in the Philippines and have a more proactive response to incidents.

"Crimes are prevalent everywhere and without the proper implementation of security measures, the business environment in the city and your constituents maybe at risk," said Prospero Salas Jr., Business Profiles Inc. (BPI) Visayas Representative, in his letter to Mayor Michael Rama.

Rama said he is further studying the proposal and he needs to determine first how much it will cost the city government if they hire BPI's services.

The costing for the proposed program was not included in the presentation of representatives from Black Pearl Consultancy last Friday.

Black Pearl Consultancy is BPI's operations arm unit focused in delivering tactical proactive response to governmental security requirements.

There are four services that Black Pearl is proposing such as the close-in training, establishment of a command center, SWAT training and installation of CCTV or surveillance cameras in strategic places in the city.

The program of instruction for the close-in training is based on Israeli Security Standards with elite security trainers who are expert in the field.

The module of the training includes tactical marksmanship, close quarter combat, evasive and protection driving, close protection techniques and formations, protection operations, Krav Maga or a hand-to-hand combat system, basic and advanced medical life support, search and rescue techniques and tactics, surviving high risk environment and criminal or terrorist tactics, methods, weapons and ordinance.

Black Pearl also offers to help the city in creating its own Command Center which will serve as the city's integrated 24/7 intelligence and operations center.

The command center shall provide and in-depth understanding and focused analysis of situations to come up with a rapid response.

Black Pearl's offer to establish a command center includes a "focused" information intelligence, emergency response and crisis management, strategic intelligence monitoring, security advisory, incident brief, travel advisories, security alerts and periodic security report.

There is also a special training course for SWAT team in order to develop more their ability and skills in responding to emergency situations.

The training includes tactical marksmanship, close quarter combat, counter-sniper protection, "transportation interdiction," principal movement in urban tactics, pressure point control techniques, defensive counter strikes, psychology of aggression and effective response and hostage rescue and tactical operations. (FREEMAN)