Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to probe the presence of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team at a private gathering of a networking company in Pasig City.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Abalos said he received reports that members of a SWAT team from Batangas attended a ‘soft launch’ event wearing their service uniforms, some even showed up with their firearms.
“I have already issued a directive to the Chief of the PNP (Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil) to immediately investigate this. I expect the PNP report soon,” the DILG chief said.
Abalos noted that 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,” the DILG chief added.