Cops can’t shoot well due to lack of bullets during training—shooting champ

MANILA, Philippines—Police authorities have poor shooting proficiency due to “insufficient” bullet supply for their marksmanship training, shooting champion Jethro Dionisio said Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters during the press conference for the 2012 Defense and Sporting Arms Show, Dionisio said that among the policemen who underwent marksmanship training with the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers of the Philippines Inc. (AFAD), roughly 50 percent have poor shooting capabilities.

“Kumbaga, nahihirapan to do basic marksmanship [it’s like they are having difficulties in basic marksmanship],” he said, adding that only 20 percent can be tagged “excellent.”

This, Dionisio said, can be attributed to the unavailability of sufficient ammunition available for use their target trainings.

“I think very limited yung naibibigay sa kanila sa academy na nagagamit nila for training [I think their academy is given only limited bullets for training],” he said, but cited no figures.

Nereo Dionisio, AFAD president, said training is important given the fact that it does not only make law enforcers proficient in shooting, but also develops their self-confidence that makes them more efficient in their work.

Unless the Philippine National Police (PNP) decides to acquire an expensive Japanese technology that enables virtual gun training, Nereo said the only way to solve cops’ shooting proficiency is to have more funds for bullets.

“Medyo mahal din pero it’s a one-time investment and then pwedeng ibigay sa ibat-ibang presinto [It’s quite costly but it’s a one-time investment that can be distributed to different precincts],” he said, adding that PNP chief, Director General Bartolome, has tried the product during one of his visit in a gun show.

Not representing the whole PNP

In defense of the PNP, its spokesman, Senior Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., said that contrary to Jethro’s statement, police authorities’ target proficiency “is improving” as observed during proficiency examinations conducted quarterly.

“Hindi natin alam kung saan galing ang kanilang observation pero coming from the inside based on what I have experienced sa ground, continuing po ang training natin in a way na nagco-contribute sa development ng ating human resources PNP,” Cerbo said, adding that all cadets are required to regularly take the proficiency exam until they pass.

“It does not represent the whole PNP,” he said.

As to the funds, Cerbo said that while specific figures are not immediately available, there is a budget allotted for trainings.

“I cannot give you the specifics pero galing ako sa region [police] at dun naman nararamdaman naming na may pondo talaga para doon,” Cerbo said.

The five-day 2012 Defense and Sporting Arms Show part 1 will kick off on July 19 at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

The event will occupy a total of 3,878 square meters of space for 184 firearms display and store booths.

As part of the gun show traditiom, the firearms and martial arts experts will also conduct free seminars on responsible gun ownership, firearms maintenance, proper firemarms storage self-defense, and gun laws and regulations, among others.