Phl, UK cops share anti-terror strategies

MANILA, Philippines - Officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have learned human rights and community accountability at the heart of policing operations, the United Kingdom way.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima last week headed the PNP delegation to London and Belfast where they attended a series of consultative sessions with their UK counterparts on counterterrorism and intelligence strategies.

Purisima was with Director Lina Sarmiento, PNP director for police community relations, and Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño Jr., director of police regional office 9 in Western Mindanao.

In a statement, Purisima said the agenda of the weeklong meetings from Dec. 1-6 included a review of the UK experience in managing and responding to domestic and international threats.

The PNP delegation was briefed by officials of the Metropolitan Police Service of London on the operations of the Counter Terrorism Command and the Communities Together Strategic Engagement Team.

The delegation also met officials of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Association of Chief Police Officers led by Sir Hugh Orde and Chief Constable Matt Baggott.