New batch of SAF troopers deployed in Bilibid reshuffle

A new set of Special Action Force (SAF) Provisional Battalion composed of 410 personnel replaced at least 300 SAF troopers guarding the national penitentiary on Friday. PHOTO COURTESY OF PNP PIO.

A fresh batch of elite Special Action Force (SAF) commandos has replaced at least 300 SAF troopers manning the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP), a move to avoid familiarity between the inmates and the security forces inside the state penitentiary.

A total of 410 SAF commandos from different battalions in the country were turned over to the NBP in a ceremony led by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Friday.

READ: SAF’s heavy hand grips Bilibid

“This is a system where we can avoid the undue familiarity between the inmates and SAF troopers,” Dela Rosa said in an interview after the program.

“Kahit sabihing highly-disciplined ang mga batang ito, kahit pitpitin mo mga bayag nito, hindi ito tatanggap ng bribe but human as they are, may chances na bibigay ‘yan. Masisilaw ‘yan kung tatagal ‘yan,” Dela Rosa said.

(Even if you say they are highly-disciplined or if they get tortured, they will not accept bribes, human as they are, there’s a chance they might give in. They may fall into that trap.)

Despite the deployment of highly-trained commandos in Bilibid since July, Dela Rosa admitted that it would be difficult to totally eradicate the illegal drug problem inside the prison.

“Hindi pa natin masiguro na zero. Mawala man ang drugs pero meron pa rin (We cannot ascertain it’s completely gone. There was probably a decline, but it’s not completely gone),” he said.

Asked how long the new set of SAF men will secure Bilibid, where high-profile inmates are detained, Dela Rosa said the Department of Justice will determine the length of their stay in the penitentiary.

BACKSTORY: SAF deployment at Bilibid extended, Bato confirms

Outgoing troops were redeployed to the SAF headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. IDL/rga