A new batch of SAF troopers were deployed to Bilibid in December 2016 to replace the initial 300-man deployment of the elite cops to "avoid familiarity." Last April, there were conflicting reports of whether Aguirre wanted to take out SAF for being "tainted" and replace them with soldiers. Aguirre said then that the SAF were doing "excellent work." (READ: Illegal drugs found in Bilibid even after SAF takeover)