ARMM elite police force completes anti-terror training

CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao -- As the government steps up its campaign against terrorist elements in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Police Regional Office (PRO) said it has completed Wednesday the training for a 66-man elite police force.

The elite unit, called PRO-ARMM Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), was formed to respond to urban and rural threat groups, according to Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares.

Mijares, police regional director for ARMM, said 66 elite police officers underwent a 45-day rigid training inside this camp in Parang town, a 30-minute drive from Cotabato City, to curtail threats of terrorism across the region.

He said the 66 police officers were trained on counter-terrorism, close quarter battle, hostage rescue operation, sniping and urban offensives.

“The lessons we learned in Marawi led to more police preparations,” Mijares told reporters here during an interview Thursday. He said more police SWAT training would be conducted in the region where IS-linked terrorists are believed to be hiding and recruiting.

With the newly acquired skills, Mijares said he expects the SWAT unit to serve and protect the people is their paramount concern.

The special unit is armed with modern equipment acquired by PRO-ARMM from the national headquarters, including night vision goggles and modern assault rifles, among others. The SWAT will form the quick reaction unit of police provincial offices in the region.

ARMM comprises the cities of Lamitan and Marawi; and the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Lanao del Sur. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)