Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) police officers in Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) yesterday protested an order barring them from wearing their black “tactical uniform.”
They said the Philippine National Police (PNP) standard general office attire (GOA) “ is designed not for tactical operation and we are a tactical team.”
They said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Jefferson Soriano sent a memorandum Friday barring them from wearing their black SWAT tactical attire “until further notice.”
Soriano also warned the public against wearing the SWAT uniforms or face arrest, and told his men to shoot armed individuals not authorized to use the attire.
Soriano’s warning came after robbery groups, posing as SWAT personnel, staged at least 16 robberies in different parts of Metro Manila since December 2007.
“Barring us from wearing our tactical attire is impractical and not a solution to the surging robberies in Metro Manila,” a SWAT officer, requesting anonymity, told The STAR.
The officer said the standard blue uniform is “office attire with a lot of maneuverability obstructions.”
Another officer said the SWAT‘s “formidable image” to criminal elements is also affected by the ban.
“When the police are in trouble, they call the SWAT but now we look as vulnerable as they are,” he said. “It would be better if they would regulate the selling of our uniforms instead of barring us from using them.” – Pete Laude