A top Philippine National Police (PNP) official has dismissed fears that the presence of Israeli security experts in the country "might create trouble in view of the conflict in the Middle East."
On Tuesday, about five Israeli police commandos are due to start training 30 crack police commandos from the PNP’s Special Action Force on anti-terrorism tactics at the former US naval base at Subic Bay in Zambales.
The training exercise had prompted fears that “foreign terrorists” might try to enter the country and target the Israelis in retaliation for the massive Israeli crackdown on Palestinians.
Director Florencio Fianza, head of the PNP directorate for human resource and doctrine development, told The Philippine Star the police and the military have tightened security at Subic for the three-week long exercise.
Fianza also pointed out that the exercise is very small compared to the "Balikatan" joint military exercises between US and Philippine troops.
There was nothing special about the Israelis’ involvement, Fianza said. "They trained the PNP-SAF before and they come every now and then," he explained.
Fianza added that the local media may even cover the exercises if it would be okay with the Israelis. "I don’t see any problem with that. But I am not sure with the Israelis. We have to check with them because they are careful in having their pictures taken," he said.
The Israeli anti-terrorism training will include sharpshooting and urban warfare tactics, among other aspects. (Albawaba.com)
