Tuesday, October 21, 2008 Cuevas says Swat not needed in task force ops By Jay Dooma Balnig
POLICE Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas Director Isagani Cuevas said the Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) team is prevented from participating in operations involving high-profile crimes like those handled by Task Force Adam's Apple (TFAA).
Cuevas clarified that the services of Swat personnel are only called in during incidences of hostage-taking or terrorism but not in raids on night clubs and disco pubs.
Consequently, he corrected Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo) Chief Bartolome Tobias's proclamation that Swat's involvement in the raid conducted by the TFAA last Friday in a pub here was allowable.
Cuevas clarified that the TFAA headed by Councilor Ely Estante can request the assistance of the Iloilo City Mobile Group and local police elements during their operation but not that of Swat personnel.
