CIDG-7 personnel undergo firearms proficiency test

Following reports that most policemen don’t know how to use a gun, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 yesterday conducted a firearms proficiency and marksmanship test for its men.

The activity, held at the Kamagong Firing Range inside the Central Command headquarters, was aimed at honing the gun handling skills of CIDG- 7 operatives, said CIDG- 7 chief Sr. Supt. Jose Pante.

As a gun enthusiast himself, Pante said it is his duty as regional director to ensure that his men are equipped with the basics of gun handling.

He said at least 20 personnel from CIDG- 7 participated in the activity, which was supervised by senior officers and

sharpshooters from Cebu City.

Pante said most of his men failed on the first try but were able to redeem themselves on the second try.

Those who failed the test will be disarmed for failing to reach the required gun handling skills as directed by their headquarters. Pante, however, did not disclose the names of those who flunked.

To recall, Deputy Director General Benjamin Belarmino, Philippine National Police Deputy Chief for Administration, claimed that many policemen cannot shoot properly.

He said that those policemen who are illequipped in gun handling should be given a “bolo” instead.

Pante, on the other hand, considers Belarmino’ s pronouncement as a challenge to improve their skills continuously.

He said that like any other craft, gun handling needs constant practice and cannot happen overnight.

Members of the local media were also taught the basics of gun handling by the regional director himself together with SPO1 Chris Panis, a sharpshooter from the Cebu City Police Office.

Aside from CIDG- 7, the CCPO Special Weapons and Tactics team, headed by chief Sr. Insp. Stanley Sabang, were also at the firing range for their tactical operations training.