25 anti-crime agents complete training under Scotland Yard

Twenty-five members of the newly created Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) have completed advance training on how to negotiate with kidnappers under the tutelage of two agents from Scotland Yard who are currently in Manila.

President Arroyo, during a visit to the PACER headquarters in Camp Crame, said the training will boost government efforts to combat criminality, especially kidnapping.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. briefed the President on the progress of the PNP’s drive against kidnapping.

PACER consists of combined elements of the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

"This (training) course that I have just observe is very confidential. That’s why I can’t give you any details. This is an offshoot of what I’ve told you before that we would seek help from Scotland Yard in combating problems like kidnapping," Mrs. Arroyo told reporters.

While here, the two Scotland Yard experts will study the "kidnapping terrain" in the Philippines, results of which will be used as a module for a full-blast training of elite PNP personnel to begin in October.

"This training is part of the efforts of the government in enhancing professionalism among police officers in their mission to neutralize criminal elements," Mrs. Arroyo said.

She added that with the training provided by Scotland Yard, the law enforcers will become more capable in dealing with kidnappers.

Ebdane said PACER will focus its attention on neutralizing the 21 identified kidnap syndicates operating in the country.

He said the visitors will put up a vigorous training program for the PNP, the military and the NBI in anti-crime operations.

Ebdane also revealed that the PACER is coordinating closely with Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza to neutralize the dreaded Sofia kidnap ring in the South.

The anti-kidnap program in Mindanao involves efforts to persuade the kidnappers to voluntarily surrender. –Jaime Laude