Cordillera-led PH team surges to 14th at UAE SWAT Challenge 2026

BAGUIO, Philippines – The Philippine team, composed of police officers from the Cordillera Administrative Region under the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) Seaborne unit, surged in the final two days of the UAE SWAT Challenge 2026 to finish 14th overall with 435 points among 109 teams from 48 countries.

The result marked a sharp improvement from last year, when the Philippine team ranked 26th globally. Five of the team members come from Mountain Province and four others are from Kalinga.

Held annually at Training City in Al Ruwayyah, Dubai, and hosted by the Dubai police, the UAE SWAT Challenge is widely regarded as one of the world’s most demanding police tactical competitions. It tests physical endurance, precision shooting, tactical coordination, and hostage-rescue skills under intense pressure over five days.

The Philippines opened Day 1, the Assault Challenge, in 21st place, scoring 90 points with a 1:58.639 finish, including a 10-second penalty. Day 2, the Hostage Rescue Challenge, saw the team climb to 13th place with 97 points and a clean 1:00.055 run. A setback came on Day 3 during the Officer Rescue Challenge, when a one-minute penalty dropped the team to 36th place with 74 points.

From the 36th-place setback on Day 3 to the top-14 finish, the week proved the team’s resilience – a familiar climb for a squad forged in Mountain Province and Kalinga.

The Cordillera core rallied on Day 4 in the Tower Challenge, advancing seven ranks to 29th place with 81 points despite a 40-second penalty. Their late surge carried into the final day, securing 14th overall – their best finish since debuting in 2023.

The Filipino police team is led by Captain Allen Dao-ines, with members Master Sergeant Rickson Saggut, Corporal Bruceley Balao-as, Patrolman Kevin Quezon, Corporal Jerome Gacayen, Corporal Alexis Bismonte, Corporal Sylvester Banguigui, and Patrolman Randall Tupac. Coaching the team is Police Senior Master Sergeant Jonathan Accad.

For the second consecutive year, the Philippine team drew heavily from the Cordillera, highlighting the region’s prominence in the elite ranks of the Special Action Force.

Team Kazakhstan “C” won the championship with 536 points, followed by Kazakhstan “A” with 515 and China Police “C” with 493. The challenge drew elite units from Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas and tests participants across assault, hostage rescue, officer rescue, tower, and obstacle challenges.

The Philippines’ record has steadily improved: 45th in 2023 (52 teams), 34th in 2024 (73 teams), 26th in 2025 (103 teams) with 334 points and 14th with 435 points in 2026. They bagged the Medalya ng Kasanayan (Medal of Efficiency). 

Ahead of the competition, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver welcomed the SAF delegation in Abu Dhabi, praising their discipline and professionalism. – Rappler.com