PNP asks counter-terrorism training from Israel Police

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has asked the Israel Police to provide local officers with training, especially in countering terror attacks, its chief Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde said Monday.

Albayalde was on an official mission to Israel from May 27 until June 1 where he attended discussions focusing on challenges being faced by the PNP and the campaign against terrorism, particularly against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“Basically what we asked from them is the training, kasi alam naman natin na sila is always very alert. Iba ang level of training nila because iba ang level of threat nila,” he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

(Basically what we asked from them is training, because we know that they are always very alert. The kind of training they have is different because the level of threat is also different.)

Albayalde said the Israel police, which he praised for being “very good” in interventions against terrorism, have expressed willingness to share their skills and knowledge to the police force in the country.

“Because sabi nga nila, pang-araw araw nila na buhay doon, they always see as everyday ‘yung parang may threat sa kanila, kaya magagaling sila sa anti-terrorism operations,” Albayalde said.

(Because they need to deal with threats every day, they are good in anti-terrorism operations.)

The timeline for the training, he said, would depend on the PNP.

Albayalde also said that some firearms of PNP personnel were made in Israel; the same ones used by the Israel Police.

He said there is no threat currently being monitored in the country, but the PNP is continuously preparing against any terror attacks.

“By this effort, we greatly recognize the contribution of the international community as far as terrorism is concerned,” he said. (Editor: Eden Estopace)