Sara challenges 48 Swat graduates

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio challenged the 48 graduates of the Special Weapon and Tactic (Swat) Advance Course to live up to their mandate in keeping the city safe and peaceful and advised them to be on alert mode for any eventuality.

Duterte-Carpio, in her message, commended the team for being able to complete the 15-day training facilitated by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and urged them to do their duty as Swat members since many lawless armed groups want to disgrace the city.

She is also pinning her hopes that the team will return the investment of the city worth P31,000 for each officer for their training and equipment by performing their duty well and respond when need arises. She said that the tactical skills and capabilities they acquired from their training will help maintain a "peaceful, progressive and multicultural unity".

"I am confident that you will be able to do it and you will meet the expectation of the public when the time comes," she said.

She added, "We need to strengthen and to prepare for and all possible atrocities that may be perpetrated in our city."

Duterte-Carpio also shared that when the training started last June, she was interested to join in order to experience what they have underwent in the process of becoming a Swat member, however, due to lack of time, she'd rather not.

"I hope hind dito magend ang inyong capacity building and preparation but you will everyday to protect our city," she added.

During the activity, the Swat members conducted tactical skills demonstration by performing three situations on how to address threats.

Meanwhile, DCPO director Police Superintendent Alexander Tagum thanked the city government of Davao for their support that motivates them to do their job in keeping the peace.

"The support of the city government of Davao inspires them to strive harder and motivate in serving the public especially the people of the city," he said.

Tagum also vowed to jack up their effort not to disappoint the people of the city.

"I assure you that we will double our efforts and go an extra mile to ensure the security of this city," he stressed.

Tagum also said se-

lected Swat members will also undergo urban sniping course within this month for those who excelled in marksmanship.

Police Officer 1 Juvanie Balagapo, one of the Swat graduates, said that the training helped them to further improve their capabilities in combatting threats. JCR(For full story visit www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/)