More police officers have been applying to join the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force since the elite police unit lost 44 of its own in the Mamasapano encounter on Jan. 25.
"For the information of everybody, continuous ang recruitment ng SAF. Actually, before po, noong hindi pa nangyayari iyong Mamasapano kakaunti po [nag-aapply] sa amin. Ngayon, mas marami na nag-aaply sa amin," said Senior Inspector Jayson Baldoz on Friday.
He said that SAF gained more recognition after the incident, where some of its troopers engaged in a firefight with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in a Maguindanao town.
The SAF had been on a mission to serve arrest warrants on international terrorists hiding in a remote area of far-flung Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano town.
The SAF had been on a mission to serve arrest warrants on international terrorists hiding in a remote area of far-flung Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano town.
The surge in applicants has also allowed SAF to add more members to its ranks, especially since the 27 survivors of the clash had to be pulled out mainly because of security reasons.
"Actually, continuous iyong recruitment process namin. Marami kasi kaming mga recruit ngayon so hindi masyadong mabibigyang pansin iyong pag-alis nila," he said. "We gave way sa mga gusto ng lumabas ng SAF na bigyan naman sila ng pagkakataon na ma-experience nila iyong real life ng isang policeman sa labas kasi very different po iyong trabaho namin sa work ng regular policeman na nasa station."
He added that many of the officers involved in Oplan Exodus had served more than five years in the elite unit, the minimum number of years in the SAF before a trooper can transfer out.
SAF awaits justice, recognition for fallen comrades
Baldoz is still hoping that all the SAF property and equipment taken from the 44 slain troopers by armed groups after the encounter will be returned to them.
"Sana at narinig ko iyong news kaninang umaga kay [Justice] Secretary [Leila] de Lima. Sabi niya na mananagot na 90 [individuals] or more.
Maganda para sa amin iyon para at least kahit papaano sa families at the same time sa SAF naramdaman namin na may pangil pa rin yung batas natin," he said.
The spokersperson also hopes that the SAF 44 will be given the Medal of Valor, the highest award the PNP can give its officers.
It is awarded to police officers who "have performed a deed of personal bravery and self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty so conspicuous as to distinguish himself clearly above his comrades in the performance of more than ordinary hazardous service."
It is awarded to police officers who "have performed a deed of personal bravery and self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty so conspicuous as to distinguish himself clearly above his comrades in the performance of more than ordinary hazardous service."
"Na-recommend na rin iyong Medal of Valor. Depende na lang po sa higher headquarters," he said.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/533014/news/nation/more-applying-to-join-pnp-special-action-force-since-mamasapano-clash
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