Napolcom OKs creation of 5 more SAF battalions

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has approved the creation of five additional battalions for the Special Action Force (SAF) in compliance with the order of President Duterte to beef up the manpower of the elite police unit.

Under Resolution 2018-027 issued on Feb. 2, the Napolcom approved the proposal of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to increase the SAF’s operational capability.

“After a review of the PNP’s proposal, the commission approved the creation of five SABs (Special Action Battalions) to effectively carry out the mandate of the police to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines in internal security operations to suppress insurgency and other threats to national security,” Napolcom vice chairman Rogelio Casurao said in a statement.

Casurao said around 2,000 police officers would be assigned to the SAF.

To date, the police unit has eight battalions or a manpower of 3,200.

The SAF is responsible for counterterrorism operations. It also provides support to other police units in fighting crime rings.

SAF chief Director Noli Taliño said they were studying where to deploy the additional troops.

“We are still studying their deployment but some will be in Mindanao,” he said.