Lawmakers call for PNP marksmanship program

MANILA, Philippines - Two former police officials who are now lawmakers called yesterday for the implementation of a program to improve the shooting capability of Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel as majority of them still cannot shoot straight.

Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop and Pangasinan Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, in separate statements, noted that poor marksmanship has long been a problem of the PNP. The lawmakers were commenting on the admission of Deputy Director General Benjamin Belarmino, PNP deputy chief for administration, on the poor marksmanship of many police officers.

“That has been a problem ever since. They must come up with a program about improving the shooting capability of our policemen. The leadership should pour resources on this matter. They should focus on improving the move, shoot, communicate and investigate capabilities of members of the PNP,” Acop said.

Bataoil called on the unit commanders in the field to ensure that their policemen are “proficient, reliable and dependable in protecting the public against criminal elements.”

“It is not only in marksmanship skills, but also in all aspects of police intervention techniques, including anti-terrorism, hostage-taking rescue and counter-insurgency operations. The limited funds for training, procurement of firearms and bullets should be properly utilized. Congress should enact supplemental budget for the PNP to cope with the growing peace and order concerns,” he said.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, a member of the House committee on national defense and security, agreed with Acop and Bataoil, saying “some policy initiatives have to be taken.”

“First, inventory of firearms is needed. The integrity of firearms has to be established as some police officers sold their firearms and replaced it with fake ones. Secondly, mandatory annual crash training programs for police officers. Included is gun firing. Thirdly, reforms in the recruitment policy, this is to assure that only the fit and deserving are recruited into the service,” Castelo said.