MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will recruit 5,000 troopers for the elite Special Action Force (SAF) to beef up the government’s counterterrorism efforts.
PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said on Monday they will recruit more people to become SAF troopers in compliance with President Duterte’s directive to create at least five more battalions of police commandos for deployment in areas prone to terror attacks.
The number is over and above the 10,000 personnel the PNP will recruit this year to add more muscle to the country’s police force, he added.
There are currently around 7,000 SAF troopers in the country who are tasked to respond during crisis situations and counterterrorism operations.
Albayalde said a new police recruit will earn P36,000 a month in salaries and allowances.
Despite the large quota, Albayalde said only a few become SAF commandos because of the rigorous training.
The PNP recently deployed 300 SAF troops on Negros Island in the wake of rampant killings in Negros Oriental.