The elite Special Action Force unit of the Philippine National Police is back in Negros Occidental after its pullout from the province in 1998.

Headed by Supt. Mario Baquiran, the 6th Special Action Force Battalion is up for deployment to what Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol, Western Visayas police director, calls the “center of gravity” of the New People’s Army in northern Negros.

The SAF, a national mobile unit of the PNP, is trained in domestic counter-terrorism, law enforcement and commando-type unconventional warfare.

Querol yesterday said he requested the deployment of a SAF unit to Negros Occidental last year in response to the increased activities of the New People’s Army in northern Negros.

While Region 6 is one of the peaceful areas in the country, Querol said they cannot afford to be complacent, adding that the arrival of the 6th SAF Battalion in Negros Occidental is a welcome development.

Although there is a steady decline of the rebel armed strength in Western Visayas, Querol said they are still capable of disturbing the peace in the region, through the liquidation of soldiers and civilians, and the harassment of isolated military and police outposts.

In 1995, the PNP took over the counter-insurgency campaign from the Philippine Army in Negros, deploying three SAF battalions. However, they were pulled out from the island three years after, with the return of the Army.

Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, yesterday reminded SAF troopers that they are deployed in the province to help in the peace and order campaign, and “not to destroy the peace and order”.

“I will be their number one enemy if they do it,” said Guisihan, who will supervise the SAF operations in Negros Occidental. He, however, acknowledged that the SAF is the most disciplined unit of the PNP.

Supt. Mario Baquiran, 6th SAF Battalion commander, said they were instructed by Director Catalino Cuy, SAF director, to strictly observe the respect for human rights and the culture of Negrenses.

Baquiran also said he is looking forward to a dynamic partnership with local government units and the Philippine Army in the maintenance of peace and order in the province.

Aside from Querol, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, and Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, 6th Regional Public Safety Battalion director, also welcomed the deployment of 6th SAF Battalion to the province.

In his speech, Marañon also lauded the accomplishments of Guisihan and Lactao in the maintenance of peace and order in the province.

Querol said the SAF troopers will assist the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade in their internal security operations.

The 61st SAF Company, headed by Senior Inspector Ricardo Jomuad, arrived Saturday in Negros Occidental, with the two remaining SAF companies soon to follow.*GPB

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