22 cops complete US Homeland Security trng

MANILA -- Twenty-two officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have completed training with the United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

In a statement Tuesday, March 6, the US Embassy in Manila said the group, composed of nine male officers and 13 female officers, trained from January 16 to February 2 at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) with HSI instructors in Brunswick, Georgia on entry and defensive tactics, investigative techniques, interviews and interrogations, evidence collection, surveillance, and undercover operations.

HSI is the investigative arm of the US Department of Homeland Security and investigates cross-border criminal activity.

“TCIU Philippines will first focus on those who travel to the Philippines to exploit children,” explained Ransom Avilla, HSI Attaché of the US Embassy in Manila.

“The TCIU officers came from different fields of expertise within the PNP

and grew as one during this training. Together, the TCIU will fight crime to give justice to victims of abuse,” PNP Team Leader Major Jeorge Francis Rodrin added.

Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa said friendly competitions between tactical response and Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) units to showcase their skill similar to the one held in Davao last week would be repeated soon.

The PNP chief said this move seeks to come up with a professional and highly skilled police force which is included in President Rodrigo Duterte’s agenda.