The Philippine National Police (PNP) is expanding specialized training for its personnel to strengthen the force’s capability to detect, investigate, and respond to bomb threats as security risks continue to evolve.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police officers must continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills to keep pace with changing peace and order challenges. He made the statement during the closing ceremony of the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Threat and Security Symposium on Friday.
“The nature of threats and peace and order terrain are continuously evolving. We have to innovate and we have to continuously upgrade our knowledge and skills to ensure that we will be able to properly respond,” Nartatez said.
“When it comes to peace and order and security, the Philippine National Police should always be updated and not left behind,” he added.
The training was expanded to include police investigators and personnel assigned to bomb disposal and K-9 units from regional and provincial offices.
According to Nartatez, the symposium provided updated instruction on identifying, analyzing, and investigating different types of bomb threats to improve case buildup and support the prosecution of offenders.
The activity also served as a follow-up to a similar training conducted in Bohol in March by the Southeast Asian International Command in partnership with the Australian Federal Police. It focused on capability development, knowledge sharing, and coordination among partner agencies.
“This activity is intended to equip our personnel with all the necessary skills to properly respond in the interest of peace and order and public safety,” Nartatez said.
Western Visayas police director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the region’s strategic ports, which serve as gateways to Panay Island, require close coordination with local government units to strengthen security.
He also underscored the need to improve K-9 training to enhance the detection of potential explosive threats not only in Western Visayas but throughout the country.
Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista said the symposium would help improve security in tourist destinations such as Boracay.
“Our collaboration with the PNP is good because what we need is to be proactive and increase the equipment. Those are the preventive measures,” Bautista said in Filipino.
