64 cops undergo Swat training

SIXTY-FOUR policemen from police stations and Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) in Negros Occidental are undergoing the 45-day Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) training since November 28.

The training is headed by Superintendent Robert Lingbawan, PMFC commander, and Senior Inspector Mario Formento, course director, held at Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) headquarters in Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City.

Of the 64 participants, three are female policemen.

One team came from Bago City Police Station and another team came from Talisay City Police Station. Each team is composed of eight personnel. Some personnel from PMFC also joined the training.

Senior Inspector Aireen Cordua, public information officer of Nocppo, said the training is initiated by the provincial headquarters through the support of the local government of Bago and Talisay.

Cordua said the objective of the training is to equip policemen with the abilities and skills to handle or manage different crisis scenarios.

She said Nocppo is planning to deploy a Swat team in each police station that can immediately respond to disasters and hostage-taking scenarios.

Through the training, they will be able to create a Swat team for every police station in the province, she added.

The training will end in January next year.

Meanwhile, Talisay Mayor Neil Lizares III has provided 18 ballistic vests and 10 Kevlar helmets forming part of the initial specialized protective hardware and equipment of the new Swat unit.

For his part, Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., provincial police director, said the training is also part of enhancing the capabilities of policemen against rebels.*