Swat trainees show skills in simulation exercise
CAMP OLIVAS -- Police Regional Office-Central Luzon director Aaron Aquino lauded the 64 Police Commissioned and Noncommissioned trainees of the Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) Course after showcasing their skills in a simulation exercise on Saturday morning, August 5.
The immediate police response/intervention, dragnet operations and handling crisis situations (hostage-taking) during their simulation exercise, started with the flagging down of a Black Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia van during a checkpoint along Dalisdis Road, Barangay Dalisdis, Mexico, Pampanga followed by an explosion caused by a hand grenade thrown by passengers of said van killing two and wounding four police officers.
Police officers called for back-up and a dragnet operation immediately followed until the chase reached Barangay Bulaon, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
Afterwards, a hostagetaking took place at Bulaon Day Care Center and policemen attempted to make the hostage takers surrender their arms and free the victims but to no avail.
Swat members assaulted the hostage takers who ignored a peaceful negotiation.
Snipers were deployed and a close quarter battle ensued resulting to the killing and wounding of the hostagetakers and wounding of a SWAT member.
The wounded hostage taker and Swat member were given first aid and transported to the nearest hospital for medical treatment while the unharmed victims were given post traumatic treatment and counseling.
Meanwhile, the bomb disposal team successfully detonated and disposed the improvised explosive device which was placed inside the Bulaon Day Care Center.
The simulation exercise was purportedly conducted to showcase the operational readiness of the Swat particularly in responding expeditiously to contingencies in accordance with the law.
It aims to give the public an overview of the basic knowledge, skills and procedures that the Philippine National Police follows in different situations.
Aquino said the Swat trainees will be detailed to the elite force of the PNP.
Swat team is the elite tactical unit in the organization. Its members are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers. (SunStar Philippines)