How to Join the Philippine Elite Special Action Force (SAF) commando

Cordillera - The Philippine Special Action Force or SAF is the elite unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who are responsible for securing the country from any internal and outside threats. 

As designated by the PNP, the SAF can conduct numerous mission including training, commando type unconventional warfare, search and rescue operations, counter-terrorism operation, civil disturbance management, operate rapid deployment force and many more. 

To become a SAF trooper, one must meet the following qualifications:

1. A Filipino citizen.

2. A person with Good Moral Character.

3. Physically and mentally fit.

4. Must have Eligibility, either of the following:

 - PNP Entrance Exam (NAPOLCOM)

 - Career Civil Professional

 - RA 1080 (Bar and Board Examination)

 - RA6506 (Board of Criminologist)

 - PD 907 (CS Eligibility for College Honor Graduate)

5 Must not have been Dishonorably Discharge from Military employment or dismissed for a cause from civilian position in the government.

6. Must not have been convicted of final judgement of an offense or crime involving Moral Turpitude.

7. Must be 5.4 height for male and 5.2 for female.

8. Must weight not more or less five kilograms from the standard weight corresponding to his/her height, age and sex.

9. Must not be less than 21 years old and not more than 30 years old.   

The Philippine National Police made an announcement on August that they are recruiting 5,000 troopers for the elite Special Action Force in compliance with President Duterte's order to create at least five more battalions of police commandos. 

There are currently around 7,000 SAF troopers in the country who are tasked to respond to crisis situations and counter insurgency operations. 

A new recruit SAF trooper  is expected to receive a salary of P36,000 a month plus allowances.

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Four Cordilleran SAF commanders to be conferred 2nd highest medal of the PNP

Cordillera - Four Cordilleran commanders of the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will receive Medal of Heroism "Medalya ng Kabayanihan" for their bravery and heroism during the Marawi Siege in 2017. 

The Medal of Heroism is the second highest award that can be bestowed to a member of the Philippine National Police who have shown bravery and heroism in combat. 

Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano, who chaired the National Police Commission approved the conferment of the "distinguished conduct medal" to Police Col. Rex Arvin Malimban,  the overall SAF Combat group commander and four other Cordilleran police officers. 

The four Cordilleran commanders who will also receive the medal are Lt/Cols. Lambert Suerte,  Lt/Cols. Ledon Monte, Lt/Cols. Jack Echman Angog and Lt/Cols. Mario Mayames, Jr. 

Both Suerte and Monte are from Benguet province, Mayames is from Mountain Province and Angog is from Kalinga. All of them are alumni of the Philippine National Police Academy.

Current PNP Director Oscar Albayalde has recommended the conferment of the five SAF commanders through the Special Promotions, Awards and Decorations Board. 

The conferment of medal to the five officers is to honor the gallantry and heroism they demonstrated in leading the SAF commandos against armed group in Marawi.

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