PNP chief orders adjustment in level of firearms proficiency

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered yesterday the adjustment of the level of competence on the firearms proficiency of policemen amid reports that 90 percent of the 125,000 policemen failed the gun proficiency test.

Verzosa directed the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD) to adjust the competence level of the firearms proficiency.

He said policemen, especially those involved in actual police operations against criminals, should have the precision and accuracy of competitive shooters.

“Speed, accuracy and safety are the primary consideration in marksmanship,” said Verzosa, who added that based on records last year, about 50 percent of policemen need more training.

An officer of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) claimed only 10 percent of the members of the police force passed the firearms proficiency test, meaning almost 90 percent of police officers nationwide failed the test on firearms.

Napolcom Commissioner Luis Mario General said majority of the 10 percent have marksmanship status.

PNP officials interviewed by The STAR said the firearm proficiency tests should not be the basis in assessing the capability of policemen in the field.

“Police perform differently in the field. They are more intense because they know that if they miss, they will likely be the ones hit,” said Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR).

Chief Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula, chief of the Directorate for Information Technology and Computer Management (DITCM), said the PNP leadership is addressing the problem.

Verzosa said Napolcom based the proficiency test on firearms on the International Defensive Pistol Association but the PNP has its own standards.

Although many policemen need more training, Verzosa clarified that the report did not necessarily mean that policemen do not know how to fire their guns.

He said that the PNP has started giving marksmanship proficiency training especially to those who have just entered the police force.

“We have marksmanship proficiency training for all of those entering. All of those graduating from PNPA (Philippine National Police Academy) have their own marksmanship training,” said Verzosa. “We have unit training also for our personnel, now we also conduct regular competition to enhance the competitive spirit and also as a matter of fellowship.”

Verzosa also admitted that the PNP’s budget was one of the considerations in providing bullets for practice shooting of PNP members.

“That’s true, if we have to go to that standard we have to spend a lot for training, just like myself – I have been a competitive shooter. Before I have to spend for about 500 rounds per week, especially in preparation for a competition,” he added.

The PNP chief also explained that policemen have different tasks, depending on their field of assignment.

“Some are in the offices, some are in patrols, some are in SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics unit). Before I was also a member of SWAT and we have to conduct marksmanship every week and join competitions to hone our skills. We have to test different types of firearms,” he noted.

He said elements of the Special Action Force (SAF), considered the elite unit of the PNP, have to undergo rigid training because they are engaged mainly in counter-insurgency and in the conduct of special operations.

“They have to be more trained than those that are here in the offices,” said Verzosa.