SWAT units to undergo training under elite SAF

Even the best needs to hone their skills from time to time.

Members of the elite Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams of the Philippine National Police will undergo a rigorous 45-day training program that aims to refresh their special anti-crime fighting skills.

According to Director Avelino Razon, director of the Philippine National Police Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD), SWAT members who will take part in the program will be trained by officers from the elite Special Action Force (SAF).

The SAF is the most equipped unit of the PNP and is the primary strike arm against terrorism and counter-insurgency.

"The SAF is our primary force against terror. They are the best equipped unit for the job," Razon said.

He explained that although SWAT units are already trained in such areas as handling of special weapons and tactics, there is still a need to improve on such areas as hostage negotiation and counter-terrorism, especially in urban areas where SWAT units primarily operate.

"We need to maintain their skills and capabilities. They (SWAT) members also need to be updated on the modus operandi of criminals," Razon said.

He added that there are several SWAT units that have displayed exemplary showing of skills under tight situations. He cited the SWAT units of Quezon City, Manila and Makati which are well-trained and equipped because of the support of local government units in their area of operations.

Last Oct. 7, members of the Quezon City SWAT team stormed the office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at Camp Crame and neutralized a detained Abu Sayyaf man shortly after he tried to escape and killed three police guards in the process.

"We cannot rest on our laurels. There is still room for improvement," Razon said.

He said SWAT members training under the SAF will be drilled on marksmanship, explosives and ordnance handling, tactics and close quarter battles (CQB).

The training program will start this month and will be conducted at Fort Sto. Domingo, the headquarters of the SAF in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The program will involve 50 SWAT "students" from the five police districts in Metro Manila.

Razon said the program initially targets SWAT units in Metro Manila but will later be expanded to cover other SWAT units in the provinces.