Most cops can't shoot straight - PNP

MANILA, Philippines - A majority of policemen are considered “bolo men” or those who cannot shoot straight and hit their target, a top official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) admitted yesterday.

Deputy Director General Benjamin Belarmino, PNP deputy chief for administration, however could not disclose the exact number of policemen who are below marksman, the average shooting skill for law enforcers.

“We call them bolo men. These policemen, who could not shoot straight, should not be given gun but just a bolo,” said Belarmino, the only policeman in the entire police organization with international awards for his shooting skills.

Higher than a bolo man is a marksman, the minimum level for a shooter.

He explained that a shooter is rated based on his capability to shoot the target at a given time.

“A shooter is rated based on his speed and his capability to hit the target. After marksman, the next higher rate is a sharp shooter, then an expert, followed by master and grand master,” Belarmino said.

He said the PNP has a program to improve the shooting skills of policemen but this is not enough considering the need for shooting skills in the nature of police work.

“We have to prioritize the marksmanship training, especially for our operatives,” Belarmino told The STAR in an interview. “I think we don’t have a problem on the shooting skills of our special units like the SWAT (Special Weapon and Tactics) and SAF (Special Action Force).”

He said capability in crime investigation is another aspect of police work, which is also being addressed through the PNP-Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM).

Belarmino also suggested that the training on the improvement of policemen’s shooting skills should be sustained regardless of whoever is the chief PNP.

“Marksmanship should be continuing. This is our core program, but the problem is we have to support our men with training ammunition,” said Belarmino, who said it would be costly for a policeman to buy his own bullets for practice shooting.

According to Belarmino, a full metal jacket bullet or commonly called “original,” costs P25 each while used shells reloaded with gunpowder cost P6 each.

Belarmino said he would also ask PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome to revive a program in which an accredited gun club is asked to “adopt a police station.”

“The Firearms and Explosives Office accredits gun clubs. In exchange, we can ask a gun club to adopt a police station when it comes to training,” said Belarmino, adding that the PNP can use the resources from the private sector and local government units in marksmanship training.