PNP to form new battalions to fight terrorists

This photo taken on July 12, 2017 shows Philippine troops standing guard prior to a patrol in Marawi. Marawi was overrun by terrorists in May. President Rodrigo Duterte has since declared the city has been liberated from terrorists./ AFP/ Richel Umel/

By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service

President Rodrigo Duterte has instructed Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa to form five more battalions that can help in the fight against terrorism.

Dela Rosa said he received the instruction on Wednesday night.

“So we will be adding …more battalions of Special Action Force,” Dela Rosa said, noting that one SAF battalion was composed of 500 people.

According to the PNP chief, the additional men were apart from the five SAF battalions already approved by the National Police Commission.

Term extension 

Asked about Dela Rosa’s newest term extension, the PNP chief said he did not know when his new term would end.

He said he did not ask the President about this as it would seem “self-serving” and the President might be “turned off.”

During his term, though, Dela Rosa said that he would concentrate on “internal cleansing,” apart from the fight against drugs and terrorism.

“Yun ang mga remaining issues na gusto niya talagang mabigyan ng pansin,” he said.