The Singapore Police Force (SPF) conducted an islandwide counter-terrorism exercise from 17 to 18 October 2016. This exercise is part of ongoing efforts by the Home Team and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to test and validate Singapore’s multi-agency response plan in the event of terrorist attacks. The exercise also served to raise public awareness on the current threat landscape and to encourage continued vigilance from members of the public.
More than 3,200 personnel from SPF, SAF, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) as well as over 50 volunteers from the People’s Association (PA) Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Civil Defence Lionhearters participated in the exercise. To date, this was the largest counter-terrorism exercise held in Singapore.
Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Mr Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law Mr K Shanmugam and Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) & Senior Minister of State (Defence) Mr Ong Ye Kung observed the exercise at Century Square and Tampines Mall on 18 October 2016.
In Phase 1 of the exercise, SPF and ICA officers, supported by the SAF’s Island Defence Task Force (IDTF), conducted joint deterrence patrols at over 360 locations islandwide such as public transport nodes, commercial areas, residential heartlands, and the land checkpoints.[1]SAF’s Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicle (PRV) was also deployed alongside a Police Fast Response Car (FRC) at the Marina Bay financial centre for deterrence and stepped up security measures in response to a heightened threat situation.
In Phase 2 of the exercise, various SPF and SAF units responded to simultaneous terror attack scenarios which included an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion and marauding gunmen scenarios.[2] SPF’s Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) provided the first line of response to these simulated terror attacks, to quickly contain the situation and minimise casualties. The second wave of Anti-Swarming Teams (ASTs) from the SPF’s Special Operations Command moved in to neutralise the armed attackers. SAF’s Army Deployment Force was activated to support the SPF’s ground commander at one of the incident locations, and SAF’s Special Operations Task Force was deployed to neutralise armed hostage-takers and rescue the hostages. SAF’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives (CBRE) Defence Group was also activated to neutralise the threat of IEDs.
After the gunmen were neutralised, SCDF emergency responders carried out rescue operations for the injured. At the land checkpoints, ICA conducted enhanced vehicular and person checks on all travellers to detect and prevent other accomplices from escaping.
This exercise also showcased the importance of community involvement in keeping Singapore safe and secure. Volunteers from PA practised their SGSecure skills, including the ‘Run, Hide & Tell’ advisory and Improvised First Aid skills using the ‘Press, Tie & Tell’ method, and to take quick and appropriate actions in an attack scenario.
Singapore’s ability to deal with terrorism effectively is dependent on how we respond to terrorist attacks. The Home Team and SAF will continue to enhance our ability to respond quickly and effectively to any security threat. However, security responses are not enough. Through SGSecure, every member of the community can equip themselves with knowledge and survival skills to play their part to prevent and deal with a terrorist attack. It is important for all of us to stay alert to the threat, stay united should terror strike, and stay strong so as to rebound quickly after an attack.
[1] Phase 1 of the exercises was from 10am to 10pm on 17 October 2016.
[2] Phase 2 of the exercise was from 10pm on 17 October 2016 to 4am on 18 October 2016. The locations for the terrorist attack scenarios were Marina Country Club, Century Square, Tampines Mall, Junction 8 Mall, Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
18 October 2016 @ 3:00 AM