CEBU CITY—The two battalions of Special Action Force (SAF) troopers, who were deployed here to assist in the strict enforcement of quarantine protocols, will soon be pulled out of the city.
The 165 SAF troopers will be sent back to the National Capital Region (NCR) on or before August 15, said Police Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, director of Police Regional Office Central Visayas.
Ferro said he had asked Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa not to pull out the SAF troopers even if the city was already the general community quarantine.
The PNP Chief initially granted Ferro’s request but changed his decision later.
Ferro said the SAF troopers may be needed more in NCR since it has been reverted to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
Ferro met with the SAF troopers on Sunday and thanked them for their role in implementing quarantine protocols in the city.
“The PNP is a one big family. We will be there to help each other,” said Ferro.
Ferro assured that even if the SAF troopers will no longer in the city, PRO 7 still has the personnel who will help enforce quarantine protocols.
The Special Action Force (SAF), the elite combat unit of the PNP, arrived in the city last June.
The SAF troopers are regularly seen here patrolling the streets to ensure that quarantine protocols were strictly observed.