MANILA, March 4 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday morning had a meeting with officials of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF).
The meeting was held at the Conference Room of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
According to Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., the meeting focused on a review of the operations conducted to arrest terror suspects Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, and Basit Usman in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 24 to 25.
Secretary Coloma said the review was essential in identifying points for improvement in the conduct of similar operations.
He said that during the meeting, the President emphasized the importance of rebuilding the capability of the SAF as an elite unit of the PNP on account of the vital role it performs.
The President also pledged support for the acquisition of needed equipment and resources, he said.
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who was present at the meeting, said SAF troopers were able to talk to the President about their work-related concerns.
Among the concerns the troopers brought up were their lack of leave from work and the lack of hazard pay for some SAF members.
Secretary Roxas added that the President gave the PNP a deadline to resolve the matter.
“Binigyan ng Pangulo ng malinaw na timeline na within 30 days ay isumite sa kanyang tanggapan, ibig sabihin nakadaan na ito sa PNP, nakadaan na sa NAPOLCOM (National Police Commission) bago dumating sa Tanggapan ng Pangulo, within 30 days, itong mga bagay na ito,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by PNP Officer-in-Charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina; Chief of the PNP Directorial Staff Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo, Jr.; NCRPO Chief Director Carmelo Valmoria; Chief Superintendent Moro Virgilio Lazo; and Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño.
According to Coloma, the President and accompanying officials proceeded to the SAF headquarters quadrangle after the meeting to witness the turnover of command from SAF Officer-in-Charge Chief Superintendent Taliño to newly appointed SAF commander Chief Superintendent Lazo. (PNA)