PNP trains more policemen on anti-insurgency tack

From the Manila Times (Jun 24): PNP trains more policemen on anti-insurgency tack

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is now training some of its personnel in Central Mindanao on anti-insurgency operations following intensified armed activities of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

At least some 90 police officers from Central Mindanao region are now undergoing Special Counter Insurgency Operations Unit Training (Scout) at the police regional headquarters in General Santos City.

Deputy regional director, Sr. Supt. Manolito Labador said that the 90 police officers in the 45-day long Scout are expected to enhance their skills in responding to counter insurgency incidence.

“It is better to sweat in training than bleed in battle,” said Labador who graced the opening of the Scout training for the 90 police officers.

The police official said that Scout is a mandatory training for all police personnel to be equipped with skills in dealing with armed men and threat groups in the country, particularly in the regions of Mindanao.

The police official said the training will focus on First Aid, Rope Courses, Immediate Action Drills, Water/Seaborne Tactics, Terrain Modeling, Close Quarter Battle, Survival, Field Training Exercises and Community Immersion.

“Likewise, the trainees will also be trained to be physically and mentally fit in any situations required,” Labador said.

The police official said the training specifically aims to defend, protect, and serve the land and the community particularly from the rural areas that are prone to the threat groups.

The training was conducted as the NPA intensified its activities in Mindanao regions the latest of which were the killing of two government troops in an encounter over the weekend in Agusan del Sur.

http://www.manilatimes.net/pnp-trains-more-policemen-on-anti-insurgency-tack/12673/