15 SAF survivors ‘mentally healthy’ to return to duty –PNP spokesman

Fifteen policemen who survived last month's bloody Mamasapano clash are now deemed “mentally healthy” to perform their law enforcement duties, a police spokesman said Friday.

In a press conference, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. said the 15 underwent psychosocial tests to determine possible trauma following the incident.

“Mentally, nagkaroon kami ng discussion ni Dr. Santos sa mental health, gina-guarantee na lahat sila [ay] mentally healthy,” Cerbo said, referring to PNP Health Service spokesman Chief Inspector Raymond Santos.

“Nagkaroon ng psychosocial tests to attend to sa kanilang stress at trauma na inabot kasama na ang counseling. Two to three days ago nag usap kami ng Dr Santos, he mentioned na okay naman lahat,” he added.

The 15 were part of the close to 400 Special Action Force (SAF) members who conducted Oplan Exodus in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last January 25 to arrest two high-profile terrorists.

The covert operation led to a clash with Moro rebels in the area, resulting in the deaths of 44 SAF commandos.

Debriefing

Cerbo said 13 of the 15 survivors underwent a debriefing procedure Friday as part of their treatment. They were accompanied by their families.

“After this, iri-release na po sila. They will be released to their families para makapagpahinga with their loved ones then ia-absorb na din ng unit. May dalawang naiwan pa. Nangangailangan pa ng talagang further medical treatment or attention,” he said.

Cerbo added that the two who were left behind were still bedridden and needed more rest before they can move around.

“Sa isa, sa kanyang wounds may nararamdaman pang pains. Karamihan naman ng injury nila ay bullet wounds. They feel kailangan pa ng pahinga at mas nakatutok na medical attention,” he said.

Cerbo also said that they will study the possibility of transferring the survivors, all members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF), to different units if they feel they will be more effective when assigned there.

“Subject for approval. We are open to that option pero wala pang napag-uusapan na ganyan. That applies to all personnel of PNP,” he said.

“At this point ang aming tinitingnan sa kanila ay well being, physical and mental health, kanilang paggaling,” he added. —Andrei Medina/KBK, GMA News