Yearly Crowd Control Training

Camanava police come out best in crowd control contest


By Miko Morelos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 18:11:00 07/18/2010

Filed Under: Police, Protest, Benigno Aquino III


MANILA, Philippines – The Northern Police District (NPD) topped the annual crowd control competition organized by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Saturday, part of authorities’ preparations against protest actions being planned in connection with President Aquino’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) next week.

Composed of police stations from the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela (Camanava), the NPD bested the other police districts in Metro Manila, including the Regional Public Safety Battalion. The winning district displayed its skill in crowd control and in implementing strategies when dealing with different scenarios, NCRPO Director Roberto Rosales said.

Rosales pointed out that the NCRPO’s yearly civil disturbance management (CDM) competition was usually held a week before the President’s SONA to showcase the Philippine National Police’s crowd control capabilities.

“Aside from honing policemen’s skills and knowledge in CDM operations, the tournament is meant to highlight [police] rules and procedures in respecting human rights,” Rosales said during the awarding ceremony held at Rizal Park in Manila.

The Quezon City Police District placed second followed by the Manila Police District. Both police districts usually come into contact with protesters more often because several major government offices, including Malacañang, are located in their areas.

Rosales, meanwhile, said he would hold a dialogue with rally organizers on July 21 regarding security measures the police would be taking for Mr. Aquino’s SONA.