SBMA personnel led by Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño (center) and the Philippine National Police – Special Action Force team led by then-PBGEN. Mark Pespes have maintained a successful partnership, thus ensuring the safety of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
The elite Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) has been protecting the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) and its neighboring towns for 26 years and this partnership shall continue for another five years.
This is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to the PNP to serve with integrity, sustain the undertaking of good initiatives, and ensure public trust in law enforcers.
Under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, the Marcos Jr. administration vowed that law enforcement would be strengthened by expanding police presence in communities and establishing more police stations in strategic areas.
Active partnerships with communities were forged. Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams, civil society organizations, and community volunteers were unified through community and service-oriented policing schemes. Public safety and law enforcement agencies have converged efforts in patrolling, internal security, and law enforcement operations—both in land and at sea.
The SBFZ and the PNP-SAF have just forged a memorandum of agreement that extends the SAF’s use of a 14,231-square-meter property within the SBFZ for the unit’s barracks and training center. The new agreement also expands this training area by another hectare.
Better, improved safety and security for SBFZ
SBMA chairman and administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño said the agreement would translate to better and improved safety and security for the Subic Freeport community. The agreement was jointly signed by Aliño and PBGEN. (now PMGEN). Mark Pespes, PNP-SAF acting director.
“The SBMA is allowing the 2nd Special Action Battalion of the PNP-SAF to extend its use of the property they have been using since 1998 for training,” Aliño said.
The partnership has grown stronger over the years, with the PNP-SAF’s presence in Subic seen as a vital element of the Freeport Zone’s operations. The SAF’s expertise ensures that the area remains a safe and stable environment, attracting both investors and tourists while preserving Subic Bay’s reputation as a secure and business-friendly destination.
Every five years, the SBMA and the PNP-SAF renew their agreement, revisiting strategies to guarantee the safety of all stakeholders. With the SBMA’s support, the PNP-SAF was able to construct new shooting ranges and other facilities to upgrade the skills of their troopers.
The MOA includes an addition of another hectare to the already occupied property of the PNP-SAF. PNP Chief PGEN. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the widened training ground is crucial in improving the unit’s performance.
“This is important, especially in our training, because we invest a lot in training. Because as troopers, we have to be always ready,” he said.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño and Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) Acting Director PBGEN. Mark Pespes signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the PNP-SAF’s extension space usage in the Freeport Zone.
Fred Atienza, a security officer in one of the businesses at the SBFZ, underscored the importance of the security protection being provided by the PNP-SAF.
“The increased presence of the PNP-SAF is more than just a visual deterrent. Their highly trained personnel are actively patrolling the zone, conducting regular security checks, and providing a rapid response capability to any potential threat,” Atienza said.
Evelyn Matienzo, owner of a small restaurant within the freeport zone, reiterated the importance of having members of the PNP-SAF in the area. “We feel safer. We worry no more about our safety,” she said.
As part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Build Better More project, facilities for different services have been built to ensure not only the productivity of sectors but also to enhance the skills of entities such as the PNP-SAF to promote the safety of Filipinos.
The extension of the agreement between the SBFZ and the PNP-SAF is expected to have a positive impact on the Freeport Zone’s reputation as a secure and investor-friendly location. With safety as a foundation, businesses can focus on growth, while communities within the zone can thrive in a peaceful environment. This development also aligns with the SBMA’s broader mission to ensure sustainable economic progress by fostering partnerships that prioritize public welfare.
The enhanced security measures being instituted by the PNP-SAF have attracted new investments and businesses to the SBFZ due to the investors’ confidence in putting up their capital into an economic zone that boasts a robust security presence, leading to an economic upswing.
As Subic Bay continues to evolve into a hub of activity and innovation, the presence of the PNP-SAF serves as the SBMA’s commitment in providing a safe and stable environment for business.
The Freeport Zone is home to some 1,900 foreign investors, providing employment for more than 162,000 workers as of November 2024.
Under the Marcos Jr. administration, the decades-long partnership of the SBMA and the PNP-SAF is expected to become stronger and more reliable. With the SBFZ under the protection of the PNP-SAF, the freeport stands as a shining example of how effective security measures can unlock economic potential. (PBS)
