PNP conducts 2nd evaluation exercise for Crisis Action Force

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted Tuesday another evaluation exercise to test the capability and readiness of the Crisis Action Force (CAF) formed last year to respond to critical scenarios like kidnapping, PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said.

In this 2nd CAF evaluation exercise that was formally opened on a “Call Out Procedure” at the Camp Crame in Quezon City at 9 a.m., Bartolome said CAF officers will be sent to different rural areas in Batangas City in the next three days to test their special police operations in different scenarios.

The first exercise was done in an urban setting.

The CAF exercises will involve hostage scenarios in sea craft, aircraft and tourist bus as to determine the capacity, efficiency, effectiveness and inter-operability of PNP personnel and units in handling crisis situation.

This elite unit, he said, is a hybrid of PNP’s Special Action Force, Maritime Group, and Aviation Security Group. He said their skills and specialization will not only be on ground assaults, but in water and air as well.

While the CAF unit hasn’t been deployed in a real mission since it was formed in August last year, Bartolome said the unit is prepared for deployment anytime to anywhere in the country.

“Kapag medyo mataas ang level ng pangangailangan, sila ang ating gagamitin (If the level of need is high, we will use them),” he said.

As for their weapons, Bartolome said their weapons are “OK” adding that if a need for enhancement will be seen along the way, PNP will answer the need.

“But for now sapat yung kanilang gamit (their equipment is enough),” he said.

Bartolome said the CAF unit is made up of 162 “handpicked, best of the best” officers.

He said the CAF unit doesn’t have to have many officers as they are a skilled unit, capable of responding to any critical situation.

“Through specialized trainings, they will be able to support day to day operations, develop competencies and harness individual potentials,” Bartolome said.