Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre III warned on Friday that police officers who fail to meet the proficiency standards in firearms training will be stripped of their service firearms.
This warning came following the announcement that officers’ marksmanship will be a basis for their promotion and assignment to positions within the ranks.
In an ambush interview on the sidelines of the third PNP Press Corps Shootfest held in Quezon City, PNP Chief Torre announced that a marksmanship examination will be conducted next month.
The examination will initially be administered to police officers in top leadership roles, followed by those in subordinate positions, including patrolmen.
Furthermore, Torre jokingly told reporters that he would replace the firearms of police officers who fail in marksmanship with bolos.
“Well, may mga data tayo na may mga tao na talagang [hindi asintado bumaril]. Ako’y magpapa-procure na ng bolo sa ating R4 para ibigay, tanggalin natin ang mga baril nila palitan natin ng bolo,” said Torre.
“But seriously speaking, hindi acceptable na ang pulis ay hindi marunong gumamit ng baril. Kaya pagdating sa classification standards at hindi siya pumasa, mayroong nakasama sa regulation – i-re-recall ang kanyang baril na issue at siya ay mag-u-undergo ng training,” he added.
As part of the PNP leadership’s initiatives, PNP Chief Torre announced that he has already signed the procurement of additional ammunition to be used by police officers for training ahead of their marksmanship examination.
In the same light, Torre stated that he is willing to retire if he fails to meet the proficiency standard in firearm use or marksmanship.
“I’ll personally see to it and lead the test, the exams. Kung bumagsak ako, magre-retire ako. So, gano’n ang gagawin natin,” he added.
Although firing a weapon is said to be a police officer’s last resort, Torre maintained that there is no place in the national police force for those who lack marksmanship.
