Duterte wants 5 more SAF battalions vs. NPA, terrorism —Bato

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of another set of five battalions for the Special Action Force (SAF) to counter terrorism and battle communist rebels, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said Thursday.

The additional battalions are on top of the recently issued resolution of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) which had approved the establishment of five battalions as well. Dela Rosa said that recruitment for the first batch of battalions is almost done.

The additional battalions will be composed of a total of 2,500 SAF members, as each battalion is made up of 500 personnel.

"Yung mandate naman ng SAF is they are more on counter-terrorism, internal security operations, 'yan ang pinakaproblema natin ngayon, terrorism at problem sa NPA," Dela Rosa said in a chance interview.

"Sinabihan naman ako niya (Duterte) na you form another five battalions so magdagdag ng 5 battalions na naman, SAF pa rin so para all out war na ito sa problema natin sa NPA at terrorism," he added.

The Special Action Battalion, according to the Napolcom, is mandated to "conduct long-range reconnaissance/surveillance operations deep into enemy territories through infiltration and extrication by air, land or sea."

The battalion is also tasked to "provide support to other PNP units in their efforts to fight against syndicated crime groups." — MDM, GMA News