DILG orders probe presence of SWAT in Pasig private event

By Lyn Y. Tallio

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. (File photo)

Officials of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) have a lot explaining to do.

Yesterday, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. ordered an investigation into the presence of a SWAT team in a private event in Pasig City.

This was after Abalos bared he received reports regarding the presence of the SWAT team from Batangas during the recent "soft-launching" of a networking company, adding that photos of the event reaching his office even showed the personnel were in their respective uniforms, with some carrying their firearms.

" I have directed the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) (Gen. Rommel Marbil) to immediately probe this. I expect to get a report from the PNP at the soonest possible time)," the DILG chief said.

He added the DILG will not tolerate the deployment of police personnel as private escorts or for purely private purposes.

"Rest assured that, under my watch, our police force is and will remain laser-focused on their legal mandate to ensure peace and order," Abalos added. (PNA)