NCRPO holds first ever SWAT games

The first ever Metro Manila-wide Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) competition was held yesterday at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, where more than a hundred SWAT officers from various districts displayed their skills.

"This is the first time that we will be having a SWAT competition for the entire Metro Manila police force We are building on a tradition to have this take place annually and have a perpetual trophy. That trophy will be kept at the office of the best SWAT team," Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol said in an interview at the NCRPO firing range, where the first of the two-day games is being held.

The awarding ceremony will take place tomorrow.

Called the "NCRPO SWAT Competition", the games involved SWAT teams from the NCRPO, Quezon City Police District, Manila Police District, Northern Police District, Eastern Police District and Southern Police District.

Observing the competition with Querol were EPD director Chief Superintendent Oscar Valenzuela, MPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong, SPD director Chief Superintendent Wilfredo Garcia as well as members of the Australian Police.

"We invited the Australians so they can see how the performance of our policemen in terms of SWAT skills. Of course, they are our brothers-in-arms," he said.

The competition is aimed at assessing skills, competency and abilities of SWAT members in responding to various situations that require the use of lethal force. 

"This is to train members on the right use of weapons, both long and short firearms," Querol explained, adding that in the past, SWAT games were previously held four times a year , but only at the district level.

The competition involves three stages, namely: Close Quarter Combat using short firearms or automatic pistols; Close Quarter Combat using a long firearms; and Sniper Initiated Assault using rifles.

Querol said they also plan to organize an all-female SWAT competition in the future.

"The SWAT competition gives us some degree of confidence that our people, designated to address armed conflict or armed confrontation, would be up to the job. Hopefully, this would inspire them to sharpen their skills in the field of special weapons and tactics and of course may the best team win," said Querol. 

Participants, he said, would be competing for best SWAT team bragging rights.

"May the best team win," the Metro police chief said.