SWAT Batangas deployment to Pasig private event under probe — DILG

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will investigate the recent deployment of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team from Batangas to a private company event in Pasig City, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Wednesday.

"Nag-isyu na ako ng direktiba sa Hepe ng Philippine National Police para agarang imbestigahan ito. Aasahan ko ang ulat ng PNP sa lalong madaling panahon," DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said in a statement.

(I have issued a directive to the Chief of the Philippine National Police to immediately investigate this. I expect the PNP to submit a report soon.)

According to Abalos, the Batangas SWAT team was seen during the soft launch of a networking company in Pasig City recently.

Based on the photos that reached his office, Abalos said the concerned SWAT Team personnel were in their uniforms with some of them carrying firearms.

"The DILG will not tolerate the deployment of our active police personnel as private escorts or for purely private purposes," Abalos said.

"Rest assured that, under my watch, our police force is and will remain laser-focused on their legal mandate to ensure peace and order," he added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News