Security teams to be deployed for OFWs' protection

BY THE end of July, rapid reaction teams from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be deployed in troubled areas around the world to ensure the safety of Filipinos working abroad and other Filipino nationals.

Besides helping provide security, members of these reaction teams are also expected to provide protection to their fellow nationals, especially in cases of disaster and armed conflict.

The initiative is in line with a memorandum from Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.

Based on the said memo, the first batch of the PNP/AFP Rapid Reaction Teams (RRTs) shall be established and trained and must be prepared for deployment by the end of this month.

"Selection and training of personnel shall commence immediately. The members of the first batch shall complete their training and must be ready for deployment if needed," the memo read.

For his part, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M Robredo has instructed the PNP to coordinate with the Department of National Defense, which acts as a lead agency regarding Rapid Reaction Teams.

The police are currently selecting qualified staff who will not only be trained in time for deployment but who also must be physically and mentally fit. Personnel chosen must possess a rank of police senior inspector to police superintendent and must have no pending administrative or criminal cases.

"Preferred PNP personnel who will be part of the Rapid Reaction Teams to be deployed in crisis-prone countries especially in Middle East Asia will be assisting our Philippine Embassies and Consulates in assuring the security and well being of our Filipino workers and nationals abroad," PNP Chief Director General Raul M Bacalzo said. (VR/Sunnex)