FROM providing basic education to young kids in Mindanao to building toilets, potable water system and even helping construct small roads in rugged parts of Luzon and the Visayas region, commandos of the elite Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) continue to show their good deeds to the people in honor of the sacrifices made by the famous Gallant 44 in 2015.

The Journal Group learned that these ‘good deeds’ have not gone unnoticed as grateful residents and local government units and other government and non-governmental agencies have shown their great appreciation for what the SAF combat troopers have done to help them improve their basic way of living. PNP chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. has also commended the PNP-SAF for its noble program to help bring back the trust and confidence of the people to the police force amid the challenges they are facing.

The PNP-SAF headed by Major General Edgar Alan O. Okubo is preparing to commemorate the 8th-year anniversary of the infamous Mamasapano Encounters that claimed the lives of 44 SAF commandos on January 25, 2015 in Tukanalipao in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The brave troopers who have since then been dubbed as the Gallant 44 were on a secret mission to neutralize then Southeast Asia’s most wanted terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias ‘Marwan’ and other Malaysian terror bomb experts when they clashed with hundreds of heavily-armed members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Since last week, PNP-SAF troopers have been continuing their efforts to help the ‘poorest of the poor’ in so-called Geographically Isolated and Disadvantageous Areas or GIDAS in the country thru their own Revitalized-Pulis sa Barangay or R-PSB program.

While in constant alert for possible attacks from the New People’s Army and other lawless elements, the PNP-SAF commandos have been doing their best to help poor people, the Journal Group learned.

In Barangay San Isidro in Sergio Osmeña Sr. in Zamboanga del Norte, SAF troopers helped fill a bumpy road in the area with stones and gravels to the applause of local villagers who have long been complaining of the rough road.

In Bgy. San Agustin in Isabela, Negros Occidental, SAF commandos late last week launched a food feeding program at the San Agustin Elementary School and helped install solar lights in the flood-prone area as they prepare for the National Day of Remembrance for the SAF 44.

SAF troopers dug the soil and helped cement the foundation of the 20-feet long solar street lights.

Another group of SAF commandos also helped put up six solar lights at the Mapedya Elementary School in Sitio Mapedya in Bgy. Rio Chico in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija while helping install a potable water system in the same village.

On the other hand, SAF troopers have been constructing a public toilet in Bgy. Dumagmang in Labo, Camarines Norte amid their mission to regain the trust and confidence of local villagers who for decades have been known to be heavily-influenced by the NPA movement.

In Sitio Gitna in Bgy. 166, Caloocan City, PNP-SAF operatives last Friday released the birth certificates of 30 local residents who have not yet gotten their birth papers for many years.

More than 100 birth certificates will also be turned over to the residents this week.

In Bgy. Gapasan in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro, SAF commandos have been providing help in the repacking of food rations intended for the Gapasan Child Development Center. The PNP-SAF have joined the fight against malnutrition program by the local government.

On the other hand, SAF troopers have started a tutorial program for students of the Waygan Elementary School in Bgy. Waygan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro.

The program is aimed at teaching in particular pupils who have difficulty in reading and understanding basic English and Filipino. The troopers also helped paint the chairs of the Centro Child Development Center.

In Bgy. Kajatian in Indanan, Sulu,SAF commandos have been conducting tutorial classes on basic written graphemes to the less fortunate children.

Thru their R-PSB program, the PNP-SAF is also able to inform the people of their basic rights as well as knowledge on different laws including Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition and Regulations Act of 2013, the Safe Space Act, the Violence against Women and their Children Act, the Senior Citizen’s Privileges, Gender Awareness and Development program, childrens rights and the localized version of Executive Order 70 which pertains to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the government policy to end local communist armed conflict.

On Saturday, residents of Sitio Gitna in Caloocan City thanked the PNP-SAF after its troopers helped one of their fellows move to a new house.

It turned out that Albert Garcia, a resident of Sitio Gitna in Bgy. 166 sought the assistance of the SAF’s R-PSB personnel in driving the closed-van he rented to haul his appliances and other personal belongs.

The man was moving to the house of his siter in Zabarte Road in Novaliches, Quezon City after his parents sold their house to pay for the hospital bills of his father who is suffering from colon cancer.

The SAF commandos quickly heeded the request of Garcia and helped him transfer his appliances and other personal belongings to his sister’s residence.