PNP provides NCRPO with brand-new pistols, armed vests and Kevlar helmets

By U.S. News Agency / Asian

Members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit of the National Capital region Police Office (NCRPO) on Wednesday received brand-new pistols, armed vests and Kevlar helmets from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

NCRPO Director Nicanor Bartolome led the turn-over ceremony Wednesday at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City, along with the district directors of the Eastern, Southern, Northern and Quezon City police districts and the SWAT units of the NCRPO’s Regional Public Safety Battalion.

Among the equipment given to the SWAT were 440 units of 9-mm Glock pistols, 379 armored ballistic vests and 337 Kevlar helmets.

Bartolome said the equipment, which came from the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, will be a big boost to the capability of the SWAT units.

“It is important that our SWAT units get the proper equipment, but it is more important that the members have the proper skills, attitude and disposition,” he said.

Members of the Manila police SWAT were roundly criticized after last year’s hostage crisis at the Quirino grandstand in Manila with the assaulting team found lacking the proper equipment such as vests, helmets and sub-machine guns suitable for such operations.

Since then, the various SWAT units have staged demonstration drills, including mock hostage rescue, designed to show off their skills.