Police chiefs retake crisis management course

At least 50 Metro Manila police chiefs took a refresher course on crisis incident management at Camp Crame in Quezon City yesterday to prevent a repetition of the tragic hostage-taking incident in Pasay City.

This developed as the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service recommended the suspension of 21 Pasay City policemen who were involved in the failed rescue try that resulted in the death of four-year-old hostage Dexter Balala on May 31.

IAS chief Senior Superintendent Romulo Adduru said there is probable cause to file administrative charges of gross misconduct and neglect of duty against relieved Pasay City police chief Superintendent Eduardo de la Cerna and 20 of his men.

The 21 men have been charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide before a Pasay City court for Balala’s death, while another homicide charge is expected to be filed for the death of hostage-taker Diomedes Talbo.

Adduru added the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) was given the option of handing down a 30-day preventive suspension against the 21 policemen or a 20-day re-training course.

Out of 341 Pasay City policemen, only 301 are expected to join the training program that is expected to start on June 17 at the Subic Bay Freeport.

The three week-training program will include lectures and practical exercises on patrolling, criminal investigation, traffic management, crisis management, marksmanship training, proficiency training, sniper course, human rights and other non-academic subjects.

Meantime, most of the 50 Metro Manila police chiefs who took the refresher course on crisis incident management said they didn’t mind taking the course because it allowed them to collectively assess certain crisis situations that could happen to any of them.

"It is part of the refinement of basic procedures and policies," said San Juan police chief Senior Superintendent Rodrigo de Gracia, who found it helpful to review police procedures on crisis management.

Caloocan City police chief Senior Superintendent Benjardi Mantele said he saw nothing wrong in taking refresher courses on police guidelines.

The course participants were asked to review the video footage of the Pasay City hostage incident and determine lapses committed by the police and what could have been done to resolve the crisis.