Cops told to coordinate drills

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday ordered its police commanders to coordinate simulation exercises (SIMEXs) that they will conduct to avoid confusion and panic in their areas of jurisdiction.

PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said police officers should coordinate with their superiors and with local government officials before they hold simulation drills.

“This is to prevent confusion and panic on the part of the people who may misinterpret any conduct of SIMEX as a real police operation,” he said in a statement.

Eleazar issued the directive in response to complaints about a shooting incident scenario held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay City on Friday that reportedly caused panic among joggers and tenants of nearby establishments.

He also said they wanted to avoid another incident similar to what happened in Camarines Sur last April, wherein a simulation drill was misinterpreted as an actual shooting of a quarantine violator.