January 30, 2002, The Philippine Star, Scotland Yard to help train Philippines' police fight terrorism,

January 30, 2002, The Philippine Star, Scotland Yard to help train Philippines' police fight terrorism,

London: Scotland Yard will soon be training the Philippine National Police (PNP) in carrying out an effective campaign against terrorism and organized crime, particularly kidnap-for-ransom groups like the Abu Sayyaf and the Pentagon gang.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair offered the expertise of one of the top intelligence and investigative units in the world to President Arroyo during a meeting in his official residence at No 10 Downing street in London the other day.

Blair told the President that senior PNP officials can be sent here for crime-fighting studies as part of the overall effort to enhance the active participation of the Philippines in the war against terror.

The president, who is on an eight-day swing through the UK, Canada and the US, sought several forms of assistance from the British leader during their meeting. "I told him that we would like to have Scotland Yard assist our policemen's fight against international crime, including kidnapping, one of the principal tools used by our terrorists inside the Philippines," Mrs Arroyo said...