Special Action ForceFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaSpecial Action Force

Special Action Force Official Insignia

ActiveMay 16, 1983 - Present

CountryPhilippines

AllegianceRepublic of the Philippines

Branch Philippine Constabulary Philippine National Police

TypeSpecial Forces

RoleDomesticCounter-Terrorismand Law Enforcement, Raids,Commando-type Unconventional Warfare

SizeClassified

PartofDirectly under control of thePhilippine National Police

Garrison/HQ(Main) - Fort Sto. Domingo, Sta. Rosa, Laguna(Camp) - Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig,Metro Manila

NicknameSAF, Tagaligtas (Saviors)

MottoBy skill and virtue, we triumph[1]

ColorsBlack berets-SAF beret

Anniversaries16 May

EngagementsAnti-guerrilla operations against theNew People's Armyand formerly theMoro National Liberation Frontbefore taking on theMoro Islamic Liberation Front

Anti-terrorist operations against theAbu Sayyaf

DecorationsPhilippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge

Commanders

CurrentcommanderPolice Chief Superintendent Virgilio Moro Lazo

NotablecommandersSeeCommandersSection

Insignia

PNP SAF Beret Patch

PNP SAF Badge

This articleusescitationsthatlink to broken or outdated sources.Pleaseimprove the articleor discuss this issue on thetalk page.Helpon using footnotes is available.(January 2013)

TheSpecial Action Forceis the National Mobile Unit of thePhilippine National Policefounded byFidel V. Ramos. It is formed along the lines of the British Army (SAS)Special Air Service, but with different recruitment and selection procedures.[2][3]The SAF, over the years, has received training from theFBI's Hostage Rescue Team(HRT) andCritical Incident Response Group,RAIDandYAMAM.[2][3]The Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU) of the PNP-SAF is responsible for nationwide PoliceCounter-terrorism(CT) operations nationwide.Members or Police trainees who undergo SAF training undergo several special military combat related training such asBasic Airborne Coursetraining, Urban Counter Revolutionary Warfare (SURESHOCK), SCUBA-BUSROC (Basic Under-Water Search and Rescue Operations Course) and Internal Security (COMMANDO course).[4][5][6]SAF members who are distributed either regionally or within Metro Manila are furthermore assigned toSWATunits or SWAT training units. SAF operators are trained at their camp at Fort Sto. Domingo[7]with its Air Unit stationed at the PNP Hangar in Pasay City.[1]The SAF has an official magazine known as "Tagaligtas".[8]Contents[hide] 1History 1.1Known operations 2Structure 3Functions 4Weapons 5Support 6Commanders 7References 7.1Citations 7.2BibliographyHistory[edit]Created on May 12, 1983 by the formerPhilippine Constabularyas the Philippine Constabulary Special Action Force[9]as a requirement of General Order 323 of Philippine Constabulary Headquarters,Fidel RamosandRenato de Villawere the founders of the unit. De Villa asked Col. Rosendo Ferrer and Gen. Sonny Razon to organize a Special Action Force.[10]After which, a training program called the SAF Ranger Course, was used to train the 1st generation of SAF operators, which had a number of 149 operatives.[11]Out of them, 26 were known commissioned officers with the others being enlisted personnel from a wide range of PC units such as the defunct PC Brigade, the Long Range Patrol Battalion (LRP), the K-9 Support Company, PC Special Organized Group, the Light Reaction Unit (LRU) of PC METROCOM, the Constabulary Off-shore Action Command (COSAC) and other PC Units.[11]Later on, they changed the name of the course to the SAF Commando Course.[11]Initially formed to battle againstNPAand formerMNLF guerillasin the late 1980s and early 1990s, their tasks have been expanded to battle against organized criminal groups, terrorists, guerrillas and common criminals.During the days of the EDSA Revolution,Fidel Ramoswas involved in planning an operation called "Exercise Ligtas Isla" (Exercise Save Island) in case either Imelda Marcos or Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Fabian Ver would take over ruling from Ferdinand Marcos, who had been ill during the last few days of the Revolution.[11]When Corazon Aquino became president, the SAF was mandated to be on standby due to the number of coup attempts by rogue Philippine soldiers.[12]In January 29, 1991, President Aquino signed Republic Act 6975 into law, which changed the name of the SAF from the PC-SAF to the PNP-SAF as a part of transition of government.[12]Following recent changes, the SAF will move to a permanent camp at Barangay Pinugay, Baras, Rizal under Proclamation No. 1355 passed on August 2007[13]from their camp in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.[14]For the first time, SAF operators are involved in the Balikatan exercises in 2009 since American and Filipino troops are usually involved.[15]Known operations[edit]

SAF operators on protection duty at a medical outreach program in 2010 in Lamitan, Philippines. February 1986:EDSAMutiny. 19861989: Had conducted anti-coup operations against anti-government rebels from the Philippine military.[16] Late 1980s1990s: First deployed to battle againstNPAandMNLFrebels. May 1987 - Then PC-SAF, under Major Avelino Razon Jr, the unit was deployed in Ifugao to conduct operations against the CPP-NPA. 1987 - PC-SAF (2SAC & 4SAC) deployed in Negros Island and conducted successful operations against the NPA's and effected the surrender of considerable numbers of the New People's Army operating in Negros Oriental. The two special action companies, 2SAC and 4SAC were led by then 1LT Talio (2SAC) and (4SAC)1LT Josephus Angan and 1LT Ramon Mateo Dizon, now a Brig General and the current PSG Commander under President Benigno Aquino III. 1993 3rd Battalion was deployed in Basilan. March 1993 - a small team of SAF operatives recovered the NPA killing fields in Kalabigan Hills, Marag Valley 1994 - 1st and 2nd Special Action Battalion and the Strong Special Action Force Deep Reconnaissance Company led by then PCINSP Ager Ontog,PCINSP Jaime Calungsud and PINSP BERNARD BANAC replaced the 3rd Battalion under PCINSP Bai Layon in Basilan with primary function to restore peace and order and conduct operation against Abu Sayyaf. October 1994 two teams from 2nd SAB under PInsp Cesar Pasiwen and PInsp Cris Mendoza neutralized Commander Arabain in Tuburan Basilan. October 1994 - 1st Special Action Battalion was redeployed in Region 12 with its Battalion HQ at Sultan Kudarat. October 1994 1st Special Action Company, 1SAB under then PInsp Willy Cayat backed by 2nd Special Action Company under PInsp Tellio Ngis-o successfully took over the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation project from Muslim Rebel Group led by Commander Damskie. Then PInsp Victor Arevalo and other PNCOs were wounded. A bomb technician expert who was recovering/disarming anti-personnel mines was killed by a sniper fire. December 1994: 2nd Special Action Company (2SAC) led by then PInsp Ngis-o with Junior Officers PINSP Argel Ancheta, PINSP Jech Abecia, PINSP Chito Bersaluna, PINSP Kirby John Kraft, PINSP Ricardo Javier, PINSP Jacob Macabali, PINSP James Cristobal Coy Ex-O and PINSP Joel Limson COP of Carmen Cotabato with the support from 3SAC, successfully liberated the barangays of Tupig and Tonganon, Carmen, North Cotabato from the control of Muslim Rebel Group that occupied the said barangays after they were displaced from Malitubog -Maridagao Dam. Police Officers Ycoy and Pellobello who were of Blocking Force were killed in the said operations. The 2SAC, 1SAB was awarded as Best Operating Company by the Regional Police Office 12 (PRO12). June 1995: 1SAB, 2SAB, 3SAB,4SAB and the RECON COY were deployed in Negros island as primary component of Negros Island Police Task Force. September 1996: 3SAB under then CINSP Roman Felix was redeployed in SBMA-Bataan area to conduct clearing operations as part of security preparation for APEC. 31st Coy of 3rd Battalion was attached to PA 24th IB under then Maj Emmanuel Bautista to conduct joint combat raids in the town of Balanga. Orion Bataan and nearby area. It has been transferred to Mauban Quezon to support the Local Police Unit in the area. March 1995 the RECON COY under then PSI RONALD SANTOS were deployed to Nueva Ecija for election duty and was responsible for many accomplishment to name a few,the arrest of then mayor joson and his thirteen bodyguards who were responsible in the killing of late mayor PEREZ a political opponent of the josons. In 1997 the RECON COY under then PSI WILLY CAYAT was deployed in Davao Del Norte at Mount Diwalwal to restore peace and order and conduct police operation with regard to the in-coming explosive components, the miners used in their operation of mining gold in mount diwalwal. 1st Special Action Battalion under then PSUPT Benjie Magalong were figured in numerous special operations such as raids on high-profile lawless elements and hostage rescue operations in cooperation with Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF). Its Counter-Terrorist Unit was figure in series of raids against New People's Army that resulted in neutralization of some of its leaders. July 27, 2003: SAFEODexperts deployed during theOakwood Mutiny.[17] August 25, 2003: Several SAF units were deployed inMakatiafter heavily armed bank robbers attacked the headquarters ofCitibankPhilippines. September 23, 2003: A joint raid by the SAF, the CIDG, the Intelligence Group (IG), the Traffic Management Group, the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), the Army Intelligence and Security Group (AISG) and the Marines assaulted Palar Village in Taguig, netting a bank robbery gang made up of ex-AFPsoldiers believed to be responsible for the Citibank Philippines robbery.[18] September 28, 2003: Protection for US PresidentGeorge Bushduring his visit to the Philippines. October 2, 2003: Arrest ofJemaah Islamiyahterrorist,Taofek Refke.[9] March 10, 2004: SAF teams engagedNPAguerrillas in a gunfight alongside soldiers of the Philippine Army's 24th Infantry Battalion Sitio Caarosipan, Barangay Apostol, San Felipe town. 8 NPA guerillas were confirmed killed. A single SAF officer was killed on the spot with 3 injured. April 28, 2004: Arrest ofAbu Sayyafterrorists in the Muslim community inCuliat,Quezon City. March 18, 2004: SAF Commando Class 27 composed the 24th company of 2nd Battalion were deployed in North Cotabato (Buliok Complex) as requested by Governor Pinol to serve as a peace negotiator between the government and the MILF rebels and also served as security during the 2004 presidential election in the province of north cotabato. May 31, 2004: Protection of ballot boxes used in the May 10, 2004 presidential elections. June 11, 2004: SAF teams deployed in a resettlement area inTaguig,Rizalprovince after reports of snipers were made to the Philippine National Police (PNP). June 20, 2004: A SAF officer was killed when the SAF and the Provincial Mobile Group engaged anNPAsquad in a gunfight inZambalesprovince. July 17, 2004: A group of phone hackers, consisting of Filipino and foreign nationals, were arrested in a raid conducted by the SAF. July 28, 2004: Provided security for ex-Abu SayyafhostageGracia Burnham, who testified against the terrorist group in a local courthouse. September 27, 2004: SAF teams deployed in theCordillerain order to disarm various Partisan Armed Group (PAG) gunmen in the employ of several local prominent politicians. January 30, 2005: Arrest of various kidnap-for-ransom gang members inBatangasCity February 10, 2005: A bank robbery gang was arrested during a raid inSan FernandoCity,Pampanga. March 15, 2005: SAF and PNP SWAT teams raided the Metro Manila Rehabilitation Center of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City after it was captured by Abu Sayyaf inmates. Among those killed were Alhamser Limbong alias Commander Kosovo, Ghalib Andang alias Commander Robot; Nadzmi Sabdullah alias Commander Global; and Sadit Abdul Ganit Husim alias Commander Lando.[19]For a short time, various human rights group in the Philippines and abroad have accused the SAF of police brutality and were convinced that the PNP really wanted to kill them at the start of the crisis. PNP officials have denied all charges.[20]Various foreign groups abroad (possibly other special ops units) have praised the SAF for bringing a quick end to the 30-hour crisis. This was one of the SAF's publicly known operations to be on the headlines on newspapers and on TV news reports worldwide, especially on CNN. PO1 (Police Officer 1) Abel P. Arreola was the only SAF operative killed during the attack.[21] February 17, 2006: SAF units are deployed in Southern Leyte as part of a humanitarian contingent of the PNP. February 21, 2006: SAF units patrol grounds ofMalacaan Palaceafter an explosion occurred in the grounds of the Palace, said to be from a trash can. February 24, 2006: SAF units on red alert after coup attempt was discovered. October 9, 2006: SAF units deployed in Negros Occidental afterNew People's Armyrebels attacked the Silay City airport.[22] January 1114, 2007: SAF units had been present in Cebu during the 12thASEANsummit inMetro Cebu. October 26, 2007: Senior Inspector Fermar Ordiz, a PNP SAF operative was shot and killed by robbers in Cubao, Quezon City during a shootout despite wearing a kevlar vest.[23] November 29, 2007: SAF involved in theManila Peninsula rebellionafter several SAF officers had arrested renegade soldiers, including Brigadier General Danilo Lim.[24]Earlier, the SAF had been summoned in to barricadeThe Peninsula Manila.[25] June 13, 2007: Police Officer 2 Marlon Buslig, a PNP SAF operative was shot and killed byAbu Sayyaffirces in Indanan, Sulu during a combat operation despite wearing a kevlar vest. Various anti-insurgent operations against theNPA. Various anti-terrorist operations against theAbu Sayyaf. December 5, 2008 - ten suspected criminals, one policeman, and five civilians, a total of sixteen people, including a seven-year-old girl, were killed in a bloody shootout inParaaque. 2630 September 2009 Heroic Acts of Special Action Force 61ST Calamity Assistance Rescue Recovery Relief and Emergency (CARE) Company of Force Support Battalion (FSB) under the leadership of PCINSP BYRON T TABERNILLA, on that unsought day the SAF Troopers of CARE manifested through actions their battle cry and mission statement"MAGHANAP-SUMAGIP-MAGLIGTAS". A huge number of people hit byTyphoon Ketsana, locally named as "ONDOY", were rescued around Metropolitan Manila, specially in Marikina City. Among those rescued in Provident Village in Marikina were actress Christine Reyes and actor Richard Gutierrez. April 20, 2010 - 4 members of the PNP-Special Action Force were killed during an ambush by theNew People's ArmyinAntipolo City,Rizal. 5 other policemen were wounded.[26] May 27, 2013 - 8 members of the PNP-Special Action Force were killed, 7 others were wounded during an ambush perpetrated by the New People's Army inAllacapan,Cagayan.[27][28] January 25, 2015 44 members of the PNP-Special Action Force were killedby members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front inMamasapano,Maguindanao, while 12 other police officers were wounded in action. The incident saw one of the highest fatality counts among Philippine government forces in a single peacetime operation.[29]Structure[edit]As of 2013, the SAF's command structure consist of the following:[12] Headquarters Combat Support Unit Recon Battalion 3 Special Action Force BattatlionsFunctions[edit]As designated by thePhilippine National Police, the missions of the Special Action Force are the following:[11][30] To develop, organise and train organic personnel in the furtherance of the assigned mission. To conduct Counter-Terrorist operation in urban and rural areas. To conduct commando type unconventional warfare (CUW) against lawless elements over extended periods of time with minimal direction and control. To conduct search and rescue operations anywhere in the country during calamities and catastrophes. To conduct civil disturbance management (CDM) operations and address the requirements of stability and security operations in times of civil disobedience on a national scale. To operate as a rapid deployment force ready and capable to strike anytime and anywhere in the country in support of other units and other agencies as higher headquarters may direct. To perform other tasks as the Chief PNP may direct. To maintain a reasonable degree of law and order in the national highways and major thoroughfaresWeapons[edit]

Special Action Force operators undergoCQBtraining while wearing respirators.WeaponTypeNotes

Glock 17[31]Pistol

Colt M1911[32]Pistol

Colt M16[33]Assault RifleVarious variants(Some are outfitted with M203 grenade launchers)[32]

Special Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR)Assault Rifle

Marine Scout Sniper RifleSniper RifleNight Fighting Weapon System variant

GIATFAMASAssault RifleG2 Variants

Heckler & Koch G36Assault Rifle

Heckler & Koch UMPSubmachine gun

IMI Tavor TAR-21Assault RifleTAR-21 and CTAR-21 Variants

IMI Galil[32]Assault Rifle

M4 CarbineAssault RifleSome withM203 grenade launchers

M14 rifle[32]Battle Rifle

M1 Garand[32]Semi-auto RifleKnown to be used in the SAF's Commando Course[32]

SR-25[33]Sniper Rifle

FNP90[34]Submachine gun

Heckler & Koch MP5Submachine gundifferent variants

IMIUziSubmachine gundifferent variants

Benelli M4 Super 90Semi-automatic Shotgun

Mossberg 500Shotgun

Remington 870[citation needed]Shotgun

BarrettM82 Barrett rifleAnti-materiel rifleM82A1 Variant

Heckler & Koch MSG-90Sniper Rifle

IMI Galil ARM Sniper[32]Assault rifle

Remington M700Sniper RifleM700P variant

Savage 10FP[31][35]Sniper rifle

FN MinimiLight Machine GunIssued both standard Minimi and Para variant

ST KineticsUltimax 100Light Machine Gun

US OrdnanceM60[32]General Purpose Machine Gun

Vektor SS-77General Purpose Machine GunMounted on Land Rover Defenders

Support[edit]The SAF could call on the support of the PNP and its own Air Unit as its method of transportation via helicopter, as done under General Order 0405,[9]or via vehicles such as theM998Humvee, mounted with aBrowning M2machine gun on top, modifiedFord F-150s, and theV-150 CommandoAPC as a form of armed support.Land Rover Defenderjeeps are also used by the SAF, modified to house a Browning M2 machine gun and aVektor SS-77machine gun on the passenger seat for the former. Various helicopters in service with the SAF's Air Unit are tasked with various duties, from transportation to surveillance and reconnaissance.New armored vehicles similar to those used by banks were introduced to the SAF as a primary means of armored transportation in urban areas, and some models are used as mobile command posts.

Commanders[edit]The list are the directors who had commanded the SAF.[36]

PDIR Carmelo E Valmoria PNP is one of the former chiefs of the PNP-SAF.NAMERANKTERM

Reynaldo VelascoLieutenant ColonelMay 16, 1983 - February 13, 1987

Avelino I. Razon Jr.MajorFebruary 14, 1987 - August 1, 1989

Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr.Police Chief SuperintendentAugust 2, 1989 - February 11, 1991

Enrique T. BulanPolice Chief SuperintendentFebruary 12, 1991 - March 8, 1992

Dictador L. AlquezaPolice Chief SuperintendentMarch 8, 1992 - June 5, 1992

Recaredo A. Sarmiento IIIPolice Chief SuperintendentJune 6, 1992 - August 2, 1994

Edgar B. AglipayPolice Chief SuperintendentAugust 2, 1994 - June 6, 1996

Marcelo E. Navarro JrPolice Chief SuperintendentJune 16, 1996 - August 23, 1998

Jose O. DalumpinesPolice Chief SuperintendentAugust 14, 1998 - February 14, 2001

Rogelio B. BathanPolice Chief SuperintendentFebruary 14, 2001 - September 13, 2002

Servando M. HizonPolice Chief SuperintendentSeptember 14, 2002 - December 27, 2003

Silverio D. Alarcio Jr.Police Chief SuperintendentDecember 27, 2003 - September 8, 2004

Marcelino F. Franco Jr.Police Chief SuperintendentSeptember 9, 2004 - February 26, 2006

Silverio D. Alarcio Jr.Police Chief SuperintendentFebruary 26, 2006 - May 18, 2006

Leocadio SC Santiago Jr.Police DirectorMarch 2007 - 2011

Catalino S. CuyPolice Director2011 - June 2012

Getulio P. NapeasPolice DirectorDecember 11, 2013 - January 27, 2015

Noli TalioPolice Chief SuperintendentJanuary 27, 2015 March 4, 2015

Moro Virgilio LazoPolice Chief SuperintendentMarch 4, 2015 present