President Duterte wants the creation of five more battalions of the Special Action Force (SAF), the elite unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN)
PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said that this was relayed to him by the President who wants the police to be more active in internal security operations in support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
A battalion of SAF has more or less 400 commandos and it means another huge recruitment for the PNP, according to Albayalde.
“There is already an order from the President to add five more battalions for our SAF so this means large-scale recruitment again for the PNP,” said Albayalde.
Currently, SAF has 11 battalions deployed in various parts of the country, according to Police Lt. Jonalyn Malnat, spokesperson of SAF.
Malnat said the 11 battalions that SAF currently has do not include the recently-formed five battalions of SAF commandos currently undergoing comando training.
After his assumption of the presidency, Duterte ordered the creation of five more battalions of the PNP’s elite force.
SAF is the most-equipped and highly-trained unit of the PNP. Before a policeman is fully accepted into the unit, he has to pass a test mission which means actual battle with armed enemies of the State.
Albayalde said he expects discussion in the coming days as to where the funds for five more battalions would be sourced.
The fund includes training and equipment expenses and salary of the policemen whose entry level salary is now at P30,000.
A battalion of SAF has more or less 400 commandos and it means another huge recruitment for the PNP, according to Albayalde.
“There is already an order from the President to add five more battalions for our SAF so this means large-scale recruitment again for the PNP,” said Albayalde.
Currently, SAF has 11 battalions deployed in various parts of the country, according to Police Lt. Jonalyn Malnat, spokesperson of SAF.
Malnat said the 11 battalions that SAF currently has do not include the recently-formed five battalions of SAF commandos currently undergoing comando training.
After his assumption of the presidency, Duterte ordered the creation of five more battalions of the PNP’s elite force.
SAF is the most-equipped and highly-trained unit of the PNP. Before a policeman is fully accepted into the unit, he has to pass a test mission which means actual battle with armed enemies of the State.
Albayalde said he expects discussion in the coming days as to where the funds for five more battalions would be sourced.
The fund includes training and equipment expenses and salary of the policemen whose entry level salary is now at P30,000.
The Special Action Force
ReplyDeleteThe Special Action Force is the National Mobile Unit of the Philippine National Police. It is formed along the lines of the British Army (SAS) Special Air Service, but with different recruitment and selection procedures.
The SAF, over the years, has received training from the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and Critical Incident Response Group, RAID and YAMAM. The Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU) of the PNP-SAF is responsible for nationwide Police Counter-terrorism (CT) operations nationwide.
Members or Police trainees who undergo SAF training undergo several special military combat related training such as Basic Airborne Course training, Urban Counter Revolutionary Warfare (SURESHOCK), SCUBA-BUSROC (Basic Under-Water Search and Rescue Operations Course) and Internal Security (COMMANDO course).
SAF members who are distributed either regionally or within Metro Manila are furthermore assigned to SWAT units or SWAT training units. SAF operators are trained at their camp at Fort Sto. Domingo with its Air Unit stationed at the PNP Hangar in Pasay City.
SAF Missions/Functions
As designated by the Philippine National Police, the missions of the Special Action Force are the following:
1. To develop, organise and train organic personnel in the furtherance of the assigned mission.
2. To conduct Counter-Terrorist operation in urban and rural areas.
3. To conduct commando type unconventional warfare (CUW) against lawless elements over extended periods of time with minimal direction and control.
4. To conduct search and rescue operations anywhere in the country during calamities and catastrophes.
5. To conduct civil disturbance management (CDM) operations and address the requirements of stability and security operations in times of civil disobedience on a national scale.
6. To operate as a rapid deployment force ready and capable to strike anytime and anywhere in the country in support of other units and other agencies as higher headquarters may direct.
7. To perform other tasks as the Chief PNP may direct.
8. To maintain a reasonable degree of law and order in the national highways and major thoroughfares.