The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed additional 250 commandos of the Special Action Force (SAF) for the implementation of the hard lockdown in Tondo, Manila.
Tondo is perceived to be home to toughies and some people still believe that it is one of the most dangerous place in Metro Manila.
On the other hand, the SAF is considered as the elite police unit of the PNP, its men are known for strict discipline and toughness—one of the requirements to be fully accepted as SAF commando is participation in an actual battle with armed groups like the communist rebels and armed Moro groups in Mindanao.
Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said the deployment of SAF commandos is needed to reinforce the local police force in Tondo which was placed under hard lockdown due to the serious threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Based on the hard lockdown rule, no person is allowed to go out of the streets except to those listed in the list of Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR) which include health workers.
“They will serve as additional workforce in Tondo,” said Sinas.
On April 21, more than 100 SAF commandos were also deployed in at least 10 public markets in Metro Manila where violation of the home quarantine and physical distancing are rampant.
Police recorded significant reduction in the number of violators.
“We appreciate the gesture of SAF leadership to send more troops. They will be of big help in the implementation of hard lockdown in Tondo,” said Sinas. (Aaron Recuenco)
