SAF, other elite PNP units approved to join Balikatan “in principle”: Albayalde

July 18, 2018

The Special Action Force (SAF) and other elite units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) can join next year's Balikatan war games between the United States and the Philippines after their participation has been approved "in principle."

PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said Wednesday in an interview at the sidelines of the opening of the SAF Commando Course in Sta Rosa, Laguna this was "approved in principle" when this was recommended to US Ambassador Sung Kim.

Albayalde last May asked Kim to allow SAF to join the Balikatan exercises to boost their training.

Members of other elite units from the PNP regional public safety battalions and regional mobile forces can also join the Balikatan drills.

Albayalde said he told Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief  of Staff General Carlito Galvez the PNP's special units could participate in future Balikatan exercises.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines were not available to confirm Albayalde's comment.

“I have already coordinated with the chief of staff of the AFP and they agreed that our mobile forces will be involved (in the Balikatan exercises) beside the SAF,” he said. DMS