Luigi to lobby for CCPO needs

REP. Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quui-sumbing (Cebu, 6th District) will lobby for an allocation for equipment procurement for the special elite cops in Cebu province.

Quisumbing met with the 35-strong men of the Special Reaction Unit (SRU) of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) for the inventory of their equipment, and what the unit is lacking that the legislator can do to help.

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Quisumbing said that on Sept. 6, Congress will start deliberating on the budget for the Philippine National Police (PNP) and that he would like to make a representation to include the allocation for the procurement of police equipment.

“I would like to make sure that Cebu, especially the sixth district, is absolutely safe for international tourists. I would like to know what we can do to help,” Quisumbing said.

Cause

Quisumbing said his move was made in the light of the hostage-taking in Manila that left eight Chinese tourists and the hostage-taker, dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza, dead.

SRU Chief Sandy Roble briefed Quisumbing about the available resources of his team and the equipment they need to be able to perform their job well especially in handling crisis situations like hostage-taking.

The SRU now has 35 members including two officials.

According to Roble’s presentation, the SRU lacks the basic equipment. They have three service vehicles but only one can be used because the two others are defective. They have no communication equipment.

Equipment

The SRU needs night vision goggles, ballistic helmets and vests, tactical radio communication equipment, shields, tactical blankets, force entry tool, hydration system, harnesses, binoculars, gas masks and sniper rifles.

Quisumbing said he will make the representation to ensure that the budget for these items can be prioritized.

Quisumbing asked if the 35 members are enough to cover the entire province when responding to the crisis.

Roble said the ideal work force should be at least 60.

Quisumbing asked Supt. Rey Tiempo to scout for qualified policemen to become members of the SRU as the young legislator is planning to organize training for the SRU, which will be done by members of the Special Action Force (SAF).