‘Trigger-happy’ cops learn martial arts

Officers of the Traffic Management Group (TMG), a police unit that has been accused of using excessive force in handling several anti-carjacking operations, are set to undergo aikido, karate, and stick and knife defense training under Southeast Asian Games taekwondo gold medalist Monsour del Rosario.

Del Rosario and other members of the Philippine Karate Federation (PKF) would lead a martial arts training program for TMG personnel to develop the officers’ unarmed combat skills for use in self-defense.

"I want to inspire and motivate officers of the TMG to pursue and take the martial arts training seriously," Del Rosario said. "Discipline is part of the training."

He said that a person has discipline in using his hands, feet, elbows and knees as weapons then he will have discipline in pulling out his gun," he pointed out.

TMG-NCR chief Senior Superintendent Elmer Soria said the training program, which was formally launched yesterday, would last two weeks.

"Martial arts skills could be used by TMG members in dealing with robbers, particularly inside jeepneys," Soria said.

Del Rosario and other PKF members, including Exequel Noel de la Cruz, a consolidated martial arts instructor who competed in Thailand, will be teaching the TMG operatives for free. The TMG was criticized for a bungled carjacking pursuit on C-5 last month. A businessman was hurt after TMG officers fired at his car, thinking it was the vehicle they were chasing.