Azurin welcomes 116 new SAF commandos
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. this week welcomed 116 new commandos of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) who have completed a “grueling” 17-month commando course.
The top cop was all praises for the latest addition to the elite PNP strike force during their graduation at the headquarters of the Army’s 83rd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Tigaon, Camarines Sur, last Monday.
SAF Director Brig. Gen. Edgar Alan O. Okubo said that members of the SAF “Admirals” Commando Course Class 113-2021 also adopted Azurin as their “honorary member” thru a formal resolution.
Okubo personnel donned the SAF Beret to Azurin during the graduation rites, where the latter was the guest of honor and speaker. Other key officers from the PNP-SAF, the Army’s 83rd IB, the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) headed by Brig. Gen. Rudolph B. Dimas and Tigaon Mayor Pamela Rinah Fuentebella also attended the event.
The graduation of the commando students was granted by the SAF Command Group due to their successful conduct of a combat mission in Bicol. The new SAF troopers clashed with a group of heavily-armed New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in the region, killing two of the rebels, one of them identified as an NPA vice commander.
“Let me be the first to remind you that you made the right choice to join the Commando Course or any of the foundation courses of SAF. Whether commando is your end or the means to achieve your goal, earning the coveted black beret is all worth it. Commando Course has provided you with the skills, technical-know-how, realistic scenarios, fieldcraft, equipment and leadership traits,” Azurin told members of the class.
The PNP chief and the 116 new commandos were granted by the PNP-SAF leadership the authority to wear the SAF Black Beret, the SAF Operational Badge, and the SAF Commando Tab.
In his speech, Azurin commended Okubo for his dedication and perseverance in cascading the national policy on capability enhancement thru the training of SAF troopers and for making them 100% operational ready at all times.
“I would also like to congratulate the Police Regional Office 5, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the milestone they have achieved by dismantling seven guerilla fronts in the region,” he added.
SAF Commando Class 113-2021 is also known as the ADMIRALS’ class or short for “Alliance of the Defender of Mother Land Imbued with Respect for the Almighty, Love Of Country and Selfless services.”
“Bagamat ang ADMIRALS ay dumaan sa isang rigorous training, remember, we are at the mercy of orders, rules and regulations according to the law. Kayo ay inaasahan na maging disiplinado at mabuting ehemplo sa kapwa pulis at sa ating mga kababayan,” the top cop said.
The 116 new members of the elite force will be assigned to various line battalions across the country to meet the demands of the PNP-SAF’s campaign against lawless elements, insurgents, and terrorist groups, said Okubo.
