LGUs urged to have SWAT Team

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Public Safety Battalion - 7 has encouraged police units in the province to have their men train with the Special Weapons and Tactics team to enable them to handle internal security operations in their areas of responsibility.

RPSB 7 battalion commander  Superintendent  Clifford  Gairanod  said that Naga City and other cities feel the need to have their own SWAT personnel that can respond to anti-terrorist operations and bomb threats.

“Ang nangyayari kasi hindi maka-react kaagad ang nearest SWAT especially if malayo ang lugar. Mas mabuti if mayroong sariling SWAT ang mga municipalities and cities sa Cebu to respond to security operations,” Gairanod said.

He hopes that officials, especially of growing cities, would consider having their police personnel undergo a SWAT training course and invest in necessary equipment.

“The more SWAT training, the better,” he said.

Cebu City started the first SWAT team with one platoon. Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City followed suit.

Last Tuesday, 66 police personnel graduated from the specialized SWAT training at Camp Ceperino Genovia in Sibonga town.

The first batch of graduates that underwent “High intense Tactical Maneuver to Assault and Neutralize” (HITMAN) is composed of 20 police personnel each from Naga City and Talisay City, 10 from Danao City, and 16 from RPSB-7.

 They underwent intensive training with the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police.

Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong primarily funded P1.5 million for the training.

Gairanod said RPSB-7 personnel also need to enhance their skills in addressing the insurgency situation, armed confrontations, and hostage negotiations.

RPSB-7 has 1,282 police personnel, 254 of which are currently undergoing Special Counter Insurgency Operations Unit Training (SCOUT) for internal security operations. They are set to graduate by April 10. —  (FREEMAN)