MANILA, Philippines--Loud blasts greeted President Benigno Aquino III's visit at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig where special police forces were holding a simulated hostage-taking exercise on Thursday.

Members of the Special Action Force (SAF), armed with ladders, firearms and other emergency equipment, displayed swift and organized techniques and skills in crisis situation operations.

In a scenario similar to the hostage crisis on August 23, a bus with officers acting as passengers and hostage takers was parked in Camp Bagong Diwa's compound, flanked by the authorities and their vehicles, for the simulation exercise.

The SAF had three plans to gain access into the bus, rescue the victims and subdue the hostage takers.

All plans were executed by the SAF members, without a hitch, in a matter of minutes.

In an interview, SAF Director Chief Superintendent Catalino Cuy said that President Aquino supports the continuous training of the SAF.

Cuy revealed that the procurement of the bus for the simulation exercises, the upgrade in equipment, and the advancements in trainings are expensive.

Despite the costs, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Superintendent Leocadio Santiago said that one training is not enough to prepare special police forces in handling crisis situations, like hostage taking.

The President's spokesman, Edwin Lacierda, mentioned that equipment will be reviewed to weed out defective ones which can only hamper police operations.
Cuy did not disclose the price of the bus but mentioned that it will continuously be used in training.