DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio challenged the 48 graduates of the Special Weapon and Tactics (Swat) Advance Course to live up to their mandate in keeping the city safe and peaceful and advised them to be on alert mode for any eventuality.
Duterte-Carpio, in her message, commended the team for being able to complete the 15-day training facilitated by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and urged them to do their duty as Swat members.
She is also pinning her hopes that the team will return the investment of the city worth P31,000 for each officer for their training and equipment by performing their duty well and respond when need arises.
Duterte-Carpio said that the tactical skills and capabilities they acquired from their training will help maintain a "peaceful, progressive and multi-cultural unity."
"I am confident that you will be able to do it and you will meet the expectation of the public when the time comes," she said.
"We need to strengthen and to prepare for and all possible atrocities that may be perpetrated in our city," the mayor added.
Duterte-Carpio also shared that when the training started last June, she was interested to join in order to experience what they have underwent in the process of becoming a Swat member, however, due to lack of time, she did not join.
"I hope hindi dito mag-end ang inyong capacity building and preparation (your capacity building and preparation won't end here) but you will everyday to protect our city," she added.
During the activity, the Swat members conducted tactical skills demonstration by performing three situations on how to address threats.
DCPO director Police Superintendent Alexander Tagum thanked the Davao City Government for their support that motivates them to do their job in keeping the peace.
"The support of the Davao City Government inspires them to strive harder and motivate in serving the public especially the people of the city," he said.
Tagum also vowed to jack up their effort not to disappoint the people of the city.
"I assure you that we will double our efforts and go an extra mile to ensure the security of this city," he stressed.
Tagum also said selected Swat members will also undergo urban sniping course within this month for those who excelled in marksmanship.
Police Officer 1 Juvanie Balagapo, one of the Swat graduates, said that the training helped them to further improve their capabilities in combatting threats.
"As a member of the Swat team, we know the danger that we would face but because of the support extended to us by our city mayor, we would like to assure you that we will do the best of our ability even if we have to risk our lives. We will accomplish our given mission to ensure the security and safety of the people of Davao City," he said.
The Swat team will be deployed in Tugbok, Sasa, Sta. Ana and Buhagin. Some of them will also be assigned at DCPO headquarters as part of their counter-terrorism unit.