Tension grips Ortigas as SAF marches to new base

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and other government security forces panicked when the entire force of the Special Action Force (SAF) marched along Ortigas Avenue Friday night.

Tension was resolved only after a security official found out that the entire SAF contingent were marching as part of their tradition when transferring to another base.

The SAF, PNP’s fighting force, is relocating its main headquarters from Camp Bagong Diwa to its new home in Baras, Rizal.

"It was not a coup but a force march, a SAF tradition before relocating to another camp," said Superintendent Benjamin delos Santos, chief of detectives and spokesman of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Led by SAF director Chief Superintendent Silverio Alarcio, the SAF members converged in Ortigas at around 9 p.m. for the traditional march to Baras.

However, the march created tension among security officials and civilians, knowing that the Ortigas Center has been the site of convergence of past coup plotters, including those who ousted former President Joseph Estrada.

Raising more suspicions that there may be a possible coup d’etat was the presence of SAF elements in the area despite the inclement weather.

"Hindi man lamang nag-abiso, kaya nagkagulo lahat, pati ang military (There was no advice so everybody thought there was trouble including the military)," said a senior police officer, referring to the PNP troop movement.

SAF is the special police unit linked to the failed Feb. 24 plot allegedly targetting to bring down the Arroyo administration.

In fact, the unit’s former chief, now retired Chief Superintendent Marcelino Franco and his key officers were sacked and detained for their failure to report the supposed plot to higher command.

But Franco was later cleared by no less than PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao. Franco’s alleged cohorts in the failed plot, former Scout Ranger Commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, are now restricted to quarters while undergoing preliminary investigation.