WPD shows off bank rob tactics

Commuters and motorists got a glimpse of police readiness in responding to bank robberies when the Western Police District-Station 7 in Tondo held a field training exercise (FTX) over the weekend.

The exercise was part of dragnet operations against bank robbery, carnapping and hijacking, planned by National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Deputy Director General Edgar Galvante.

"The simulated bank robbery was a test to determine the operational readiness of line units of the WPD," Station 7 commander Superintendent Gil de Castro explained.

"The exercise was a success. My men were able to corner the get-away vehicle and arrest the robbers before they could escape my area of responsibility," De Castro said. However, he called on his men not to be complacent, since the real test of their readiness will be determine by actual situations.

Other police stations are also scheduled to conduct their own field training exercises.

Meanwhile, Galvante ordered the police to exercise maximum visibility due to rampant robbery incidents.

Policemen were ordered to increase visibility around banks and police mobile car crews ordered to constantly patrol commercial areas. Uniformed policemen were also deployed in malls. – Nestor Estolle