SAF improves coordination with military, slowly recovers from tragedy

Learning from last year's bloody Mamasapano clash, in which 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos were killed, the elite police force has since institutionalized coordination with their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“We directed all units that they should continue coordinating with their counterparts in the AFP. They should also liaison and visit the AFP camps,” SAF chief Director Virgilio Lazo said in a phone interview with GMA News Online.

Lazo added that coordination with the military had always been part of the SAF's standard operating procedure, but they decided to strengthen it to end any speculation on supposed discord between the military and the national police.

“We recognize this process para mapatibay ang samahan at maiwasan ang impression na may gap kami, isolated case lang 'yung sa Mamasapano operation. In our other operations, we continue to operate with the military,” explained the SAF chief. “Matagal na naming ginagawa ito, pero nagkaroon lang ng maling assumption. In all other operations full ang coordination namin.”

The lack of coordination was one of the cited reasons why the military failed to immediately assist SAF police officers during the Mamasapano operation called Oplan Exodus – the attempt to arrest terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

Former SAF director Getulio Napeñas said that he had used “time on target” coordination, which meant that military units in the area of operation were informed of the police effort only after the operation had began.

Such was the secrecy of the operation, as advised by then suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima, that not even then PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina nor Interior Secretary Mar Roxas were aware of the operation.

But now, according to Lazo, not only was the SAF working more closely with the armed forces, they had also improved on the SAF's capabilities. “Alam naman namin ang budgetary constraints ng pamahalaan kaya ginawa naming four phases ['yung capability enhancement]. Hindi pwedeng ilagay lahat,” he said.

“Nag-e-expand nang nag-e-expand [ang SAF] pero hindi naman makasabay ang logistics. So kapag pinondohan kami, by phases namin gagawin sa 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020,” Lazo explained.

Slowly moving on

Lazo said the SAF was moving on from the Mamasapano clash.

“Malungkot pa rin pero mahalaga na na-re-recognize 'yung tropa,” he explained. “Sinasabi ko sa kanila na walang kabuluhan ang pagkamatay ng SAF 44 kung hindi namin pagbubutihin ang trabaho namin. Narito kami para ituloy ang trabaho namin.”

The SAF chief also said he was pleased by the number applicants to the SAF.

“Natutuwa kami na dun sa mga nag-a-apply, marami ang kabataan, ibig sabihin marami ang gustong magsilbi sa bayan,” he added. “Dahil perilous ang trabaho namin, marami na ang mawawalan ng tapang o maduduwag na sumali so very happy kami na marami ang nag-a-apply.” — DVM/KG, GMA News