EPD to beef up its SWAT, DMG units for anti-crime drive

Eastern Police District (EPD) director Senior Superintendent Nilo de la Cruz said yesterday the district’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and District Mobile Group (DMG) will be at the forefront in the fight against criminal syndicates and terrorist groups in eastern Metro Manila, police said yesterday.

“I will strengthen our SWAT and DMG units and send them against criminal syndicates and terrorists in conjunction with our intelligence operatives,” said De la Cruz, who assumed the helm of the EPD last week.

De la Cruz said the resources and training of the SWAT and DMG units should not be wasted by their pre-emptive stance in the war against criminals linked to kidnapping, carjacking and syndicated robbery.

De la Cruz said his first marching order to his station commanders in Mandaluyong, Marikina, Pasig and San Juan is to intensify their intelligence-gathering operations against lawless elements and terrorist groups.

“Once we have the needed information, the SWAT and DMG units would be used to strike on our intended targets with the local police acting as back-up,” De la Cruz told The STAR. “They would serve as out strike force.”

He said criminal groups operating in Metro Manila are creating problems in his jurisdiction.

“The criminals are everywhere. Instead of going after them each time they strike, we will bring the war to their doorsteps,” he said.

As a step in strengthening the SWAT and DMG units, De la Cruz ordered an inventory of their equipment and vehicles, especially firearms and other items they had been issued.

“I will ask for an additional budget from Camp Crame or raise funds to improve their fighting equipment so they could be at least at par with the criminals who are now armed with sophisticated weaponry and  communication equipment,” said de la Cruz.

The EPD noted that a number of vehicles issued to the SWAT and DMG units are either unserviceable or need repair.

De la Cruz said he will also initiate improvements and repairs at the EPD headquarters along Caruncho Avenue, and its annex building along Meralco Avenue, both in Pasig City. – Non Alquitran