For first district’s security 30-man SWAT team starts job next week

CEBU, Philippines -  While the Talisay City government is asking the Cebu Provincial Police Office to deploy additional policemen to their city, the City of Naga will be launching its own Special Weapons and Tactics team next week.

According to Naga City police chief Superintendent Brindo Nacario, starting June 17, at least 30 SWAT members will be deployed and will be responding to different high profile cases in the city and in the first district.

The district currently has 30 SWAT team members, 20 from Naga and 10 from Talisay.

Nacario said the deployment of SWAT members in the first district is part of  Police Regional Office-7's initiative to deploy special policemen in different parts of the region.

Nacario also hopes other LGUs in the district will also assist them, considering the scope of work of their officers.

For the first district's case, SWAT members now have equipment and weapons after they were given supplies from Cebu Provincial Police Office.

Mayor Valdemar Chiong said the city government will be spending more than a million pesos to buy bullet-proof vests for the SWAT members.

Chiong said the elite SWAT group aims to effectively confront rising levels of crimes that may go with the urbanization and increasing population of this young industrial city.

The city earns the distinction as the first among local government units to have its own elite anti-crime unit under the jurisdiction of the Cebu Provincial Police Office.

The SWAT is a team of policemen specially trained to handle hostage negotiations, kidnap incidents, terrorists and heavily-armed persons. Their training  includes shooting, close-quarter combat, rappelling, and assault from the sea and nighttime operations.

Like any other progressive cities, Chiong said Naga needs the presence of a SWAT team to protect its people and visitors from lawless and criminal elements and ensure peace and order in the locality. (FREEMAN)