Cebu as model: DILG eyes SWAT for every district

CEBU, Philippines – The success of having an elite police force in every district of Cebu province has prompted Secretary Mel Senin Sarmiento of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to study the possibility of replicating it in the entire country.

Sarmiento made a surprise visit on Friday to witness the opening of the inter-district Special Weapons and Tactics competition held in Lapu-Lapu City.

Sarmiento said he will direct PNP chief Ricardo Marquez to study the concept. Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac, Cebu Provincial Police  Office  director,  said  the inter-district SWAT competition was part of the highlights of the yearly Provincial Director’s Cup.

The competition was aimed to gauge the capability of the SWAT team personnel in the province.

The SWAT personnel from Cebu City Police Office, Lapu-Lapu Police Office and Mandaue City Police Office were also invited to the competition.

It was, however, noticed that the SWAT personnel somehow failed in the close-quarter-battle.

“Taken for granted ang ilang  safety... in real life situation maigo g’yud sila,” Gillamac said.

The provincial SWAT team was also noted to have difficulty in hitting its target in the sniping competition. Gillamac blamed the lack of funds and equipment for the flaw.

Despite the flaws, Gillamac described the provincial SWAT to be 90 percent efficient. Gillamac said that in order to train a formidable 80 SWAT personnel, the government would need at least P1.6 million budget allocation for a month-long training.

The expenses would include the proper gear and equipment and live rounds of ammunition to be used during trainings. He said the provincial headquarters could not afford the huge amount needed for the training.

However, the provincial government helped them with the needed logistics. Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III promised 80 M-16 rifles and four of them were already upgraded and modernized and were issued to the SWAT personnel.

Gillamac said they still need for additional sniper rifles and for their continuous trainings. He plans to visit all local chief executives in the province to ask for their support.

“We lack the necessary funds, we  are relying on the different local chief executive… it’s not a small fund… it entails a huge amount of money,” he added.

Gillamac said that for the three-day activity alone they have spent P751,000.

He said he will coordinate with the different airsoft enthusiasts to better gauge their efficiency because he said that the life of SWAT personnel is very important.  —/FPL (FREEMAN)