Seeking to heal wounds, PNoy tackles SAF troopers' concerns

MANILA, Philippines - For about three hours, President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday met with the comrades of the 44 slain troopers of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) and discussed their concerns.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the President met with SAF troopers and officials to determine the next steps in improving the SAF in terms of training and equipment, among other issues.

Roxas said the President wants to strengthen the elite police group and boost the troopers' morale following the deadly SAF operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25.

"'Yung iniatas naman ng Pangulo ay palakasin 'yung SAF. Ihilom lahat itong mga sugat na ito sa morale kung meron man," Roxas said in an ambush interview with reporters during the formal installation of Chief Superintendent Moro Virgilio Lazo as new SAF chief at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Roxas said the SAF troopers were able to raise to the President their grievances such as their measly hazard pay.

"Itong mga bagay na ito ay talagang binigyan ng panahon ng Pangulo nang sa ganoon nga ay mailagay sa tama or mailagay sa isang mas magandang kalagayan o sitwasyon itong SAF," Roxas said.

The elite cops also discussed with Aquino the poor rotation of troopers, added the Interior chief.

He said because the SAF troopers are "100-percent alert all the time," they cannot take a leave of absence and vacation to spend time with their families.

"So ito 'yung mga bagay na naiparating nila sa Pangulo at inatasan naman ng Pangulo ang PNP na aralin lahat ito at bigyan ng sapat na bilang ang SAF, i-reorganize kung kinakailangan para mayroong naka-100 percent red alert, merong nagte-training at merong nagpapahinga at mag-ro-rotate lang ito," Roxas said.

Roxas underscored the importance of the SAF in law enforcement, calling the elite police group as the "premier strike force of the PNP."

'Mission accomplished'

During their three-hour meeting, President Aquino also recognized the accomplishment of the SAF in neutralizing suspected terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, who was the subject of the Mamasapano mission.

"Idiniin ng mga SAF troopers na 'we got our man', 'we accomplished our mission'. At ang sabi naman ng Pangulo walang nagku-kuwestiyon doon," Roxas said.

"Si Marwan ay isang threat sa ating buong bansa, sa mga inosenteng Pilipino; at bagaman ang tagal na hinahanap itong si Marwan, kinilala ng Pangulo na ang SAF nga ang nakakuha sa kanya," he added.