DAVAO CITY – The Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) emerged as the top winner of the 1st PNP Chief Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Competition, the belated results showed.
The release of the final results of the SWAT competition was delayed due to a technical glitch.
In the results released by Police Regional office (PRO) 11 spokesperson, Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz, the SAF Team 2 topped the over-all challenge followed by the SAF Team 1. The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO)-RDC 2 came in third, the Office of the Chief PNP Team 1 finished fourth, while the NCRPO- RDC 1 came in fifth.
In the PNP Category, the SAF Team 2 was still on top, followed by SAF Team 1. The NCRPO- RDC 2 was still third while the Office of the Chief PNP team and NCRPO- RDC 1 were on the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
In the AFP Category, the Philippine Air Force Team 2 topped the competition followed by the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR), while the Philippine Air Force Team 1 came in third.
In the stage category, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) National led by Police Supt. Edilberto Leonardo topped the first and 4th stages of the challenge; the Office of the Chief PNP Team 1 led by Insp. Daniel Farnican Pumecha Jr. dominated the 2nd stage; the Special Action force (SAF) Team 3 led by Senior Insp. Neil Vistar emerged the best during the third stage; while the 5th stage was won by the NCRPO-RDC 2, led by Senior Insp. Dioscoro Tayab Jr.
The stage 6 was dominated by the FSRR, led by Lt. Col. Wilfredo Martin Jr.
The Office of the Chief PNP, led by Insp. Pumecha Jr., topped the 7th stage of the challenge while the Police Regional office (PRO) 3 Team 2, led by Sr. Insp. Neilmark Retana, top the 8th and 9th stages. The Special Action Force (SAF) Team 2, led by Chief. Insp. Samuel Mangetag Jr., topped the 10th stage of the challenge.
The Military Training Command (MTC) – Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) of the Philippine Army Team 1, led by SSG Benito Sumalag and the MTC TRADOC PA Team 1 were disqualified in stages 2, 3, and 4 of the challenge.
Driz said the two teams did not have lead officers.
“They did not follow the criteria that the team should be officer-led, which was the basis for the disqualification,” Driz said.
The winner in the Best Uniform category were PRO 9 (First), Philippine Air Force (2nd), and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO)-PRO XI (3rd).
Davao City Police chief, Senior Supt. Alexander Tagum, said while the DCPO finished eighth during the overall challenge, he was positive they did their best.
Being on the top 10 of the competition participated in by a total of 60 contingents has already placed the DCPO SWAT in the league of the best teams, he said.
“What is important is not about winning the game but it’s how we played the game,” Tagum said.
Tagum added that the DCPO SWAT’s performance was good enough because it was their first time to compete in such a challenge; and that they are also relatively new compared to other SWAT units.
Tagum underscored that the purpose of the competition is to prepare the SWAT for the real game – the fight against terrorism.
The winning teams will receive their awards tentatively on March 19, depending on the availability of PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa, according to Driz.
The SWAT Competition was a three-day, action-packed competition among the best SWAT units of the PNP from all over the country; and highly-trained elite tactical units of the Army, Navy, Marines and the Air Force.
Held from March 1 to 3 at the Team Davao Firing Range on Diversion Road in Barangay Maa here, the event was in line with the PNP’s Master Training Action Plan for 2018. It was held in partnership with Team Davao Inc., the Philippine Association of Rifle Enthusiasts, and the Philippine Shooters and Match Officers Confederation.
It was aimed at enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency and the tactical proficiency of the SWAT units.
Driz said the PNP is putting emphasis on upgrading its operational capability to respond to armed situations.
(Lilian C. Mellejor and Rhoda Grace Saron/PNA)
