A new battalion of officers from the Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) is guarding the national penintentiary.
PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa witnessed the turnover ceremony today at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
At least 350 new SAF operatives are replacing the current group of SAF personnel who have been in charge of the prison facility in the last six months.
The new group is led by Chief Inspector Christopher Mendoza, who has fought in the Marawi siege.
SAF Chief Noli Taliño hailed the current team handling the security at NBP.
The batch now leaving the NBP is headed by Superintendent Darwin Padla.
Taliño said SAF troopers assigned in the NBP are faced with many temptations that test their principles and professionalism.
But he said these are one-time deals that have temporary benefits.
Taliño stressed that policemen must give more value to pursuits that have long term benefits.
He was referring to salary hikes given to cops.
The elite force is particularly guarding NBP's Maximum Security Compound and Building 14.
Building 14 houses high profile prisoners.
The PNP-SAF has been providing security in this large detention facility since July 2016.
The cops' mission is to stop illegal activities inside the compound, especially the proliferation of drug trade.
