South Cebu get new SWAT teams

CEBU, Philippines - With its aim to neutralize organized criminal groups, the Provincial Police Office (CPPO) augmented the police forces in Argao, Santander and Moalboal with the deployment of newly trained Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team personnel.

At least 30 policemen from different police stations underwent extensive training with 20 other SWAT team members of the Carcar police to be part of the augmentation force. Ten SWAT members were deployed to each of the local government unit.

Yesterday, they met the mayors of the three towns and police chiefs in the second district at the CPPO headquarters in Cebu City.

The activity was spearheaded by CPPO provincial director Noel Gillamac together with CPPO deputy provincial director for operation Renato Malazarte.

The mayors present were Edsel Galeos of Argao, Nicomedes De Los Santos of Alcoy, Mariano Blanco III of Ronda, Marilyn Wenceslao of Santander, Raymund Joseph Calderon of Samboan, Roland Guarin of Oslob, Inocentes Cabaron of Moalboal and Beatriz Caburnay of Alcantara, who replaced then the late Fredo Cañete.

Gillamac said the cost of training, estimated at P1.5 million, was funded by the Carcar City government headed by Mayor Nicepuro Apura.

Last year, at least 60 SWAT team personnel were deployed to Talisay City, Danao, Bogo, Toledo and Naga City where the training was held.

While assigned to only three local government units, Gillamac clarified that the SWAT team members would cover the entire Second District.

The SWAT team members are positioned strategically in Argao, which is a big municipality; Santander, which has many port areas; and Moalboal, which is a tourist destination.

The second district, which is the province’s largest congressional district, is composed of Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Argao, Badian, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Moalboal, Oslob, Ronda, Samboan and Santander.

Gillamac told the new SWAT team members: “Nanghinaot ko nga ang inyong commitment, dedication ninyo pag-protect sa among second district dili unta maluya, para unta sa atong kaugmaon og kalinaw sa matag lungsod.”

Gillamac considers the creation of ‘District SWAT’ as a unique strategy. Only Cebu has organized the same in the whole Philippines.

“Also, I can call this a necessity. Kinahanglan jud mag-organize tag SWAT,” he said, noting that the effort has been his aim since he assumed office last August 19, 2013.

He said criminal groups, which had been operating for several years have been harassing residents in mountain barangays.

“We know for a fact that our municipal police stations that include some city police offices, mga component cities are helpless sa mga organized criminal groups. I understand atong mga kapolisan dihang lugara wala silay fire power capability nga ma-neutralize kining mga grupoha,” he said.

He announced that Governor Hilario Davide III has approved a P4 million budget to upgrade and repair 60 unserviceable M16 rifles, which would be issued later to SWAT team personnel.

Gillamac encouraged the new SWAT team members to uphold their motto, which is to “to serve and to protect.”

Santander Mayor Marilyn Wenceslao, for her part, regarded the police officers as noble men, who are ‘willing to take eminent danger and great risk.’

“Thus, we are confident that we have them, we have you to protect our people should there be crisis situations in our town, God forbids,” she said, adding, that while the town is relatively peaceful, local officials can’t be complacent. – May B. Miasco/JMO (FREEMAN)