Special Operations Command (Philippines)

AFP Joint Special Operations Command
Unit Seal of the AFPSOCOM
Active	January 16, 1978 – May 28, 2025 (As AFP Special Operations Command May 28, 2025 (As AFP Joint Special Operations Command) [1]
Country	Philippines
Branch	Armed Forces of the Philippines
Type	Special Operations
Size	Classified
Garrison/HQ	Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija
Colors	Maroon, Gold and Black
Anniversaries	January 16
Decorations	Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge Presidential Streamer Award
Commanders
Notable commanders	COL David Abundo Jr., PA LTGEN Francisco Ariel A Felicidario III, PA GEN Hermogenes Esperon, PA GEN Victor Ibrado, PA LTGEN Arturo Ortiz, PA LTGEN Danilo M. Pamonag, PA GEN Dionisio Santiago, PA
Current Commander	BGEN Eliglen F. Villaflor PA
Special Operations Forces (SOF)

The AFP Joint Special Operations Command (AFPJSOC) ^[1] is the special operations command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The command serves as the AFP's unified command for special operations, which includes the special units forces under the army, navy, air force, and marine corps. It serves as the replacement of the AFP Special Operations Command, ^[2] and is responsible for planning, conducting, and supporting special operations missions.

The official anniversary date of AFPSOCOM is on January 16, 1978 - the same date the Philippine Army Special Warfare Brigade (ASWABde) was organized. ^[3]

History

The AFPJSOC traces its roots to the Army Special Warfare Brigade (ASWABde) that was organized in January 1978. ^[3] The Army Special Warfare Brigade was the first attempt to unify the specialties of two army units with the most highly trained personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Special Forces and the Scout Rangers, and structure their collective efforts into a highly effective army unit. Disbanded in 1986, it was reactivated as the Philippine Army Special Operations Command (PA-SOCOM) in 1995. ^[3] It has been headquartered in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija since its reactivation, ^[4] and was expanded in 2004 to accommodate the then newly activated Light Reaction Company.

On April 6, 2018, the PA-SOCOM was elevated to an Armed Forces combatant command and became the AFPSOCOM. ^[4] This was done as part of lesson learned by AFP officers in the Zamboanga and Marawi sieges in 2013 and 2017. ^[5]

The AFP Joint Special Operations Group (AFP-JSOG) was also disbanded and its officers, enlisted personnel and units was transferred to form the core of the new command. ^[2] The units transferred from the AFP-JSOG included not just the Light Reaction Regiment, but also the Naval Special Operations Group, now the Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM), and the 710th Special Operations Wing.

The AFP-JSOG K-9 Platoon was also included into the new command. ^[2]

Mission

The mission of the AFP JSOC is to plan, conduct and support special operations in all operational environments in support of the fundamental missions of the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Core capabilities

SOCOM forces are employed based on the following core capabilities:

• Irregular Warfare
• Direct Action
• International and domestic Counter-terrorist Operations
• HVT Raids
• Humanitarian Assistance/ Disaster Response
• Sabotage
• Security Assistance
• Special Reconnaissance
• Unconventional Warfare

Training

The JSOC training regimen comprises different types of training. These training methods are employed to enhance the skills and abilities of the different units under the command.

• Basic Airborne Course
• Basic Naval Special Warfare Course
• Close Quarter Combat Training
• Combat Diver’s Course
• Jumpmaster Course
• Military Freefall Course
• Parachute Packing, Maintenance and Air Delivery Course
• Scout Ranger Target Interdiction Course

Structure

The current AFP Joint Special Operations Command is organized with the following units: ^{[6] [7]}

• 1st Scout Ranger Regiment - Organizes, trains, equips and provides rapidly deployable forces and conducts special operations in support of SOCOM's mission. The unit was modeled after the intelligence-gathering American Alamo Scouts and the combat-ready US Army Rangers. The regiment's core capabilities are: direct action, jungle warfare, special reconnaissance, and sniping operations against hostile positions.
• Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) - Organizes, trains, equips and provides rapidly deployable forces and conducts unconventional warfare in all types of operational environment in support of SOCOM's mission. They specialize on the following: unconventional warfare, direct action; special reconnaissance; psychological warfare and mass base operations.
• Light Reaction Regiment - The premier counter-terrorist unit of the Philippine Army and the Special operations force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It was formerly known as the Light Reaction Battalion and the Light Reaction Company before finally being upgraded into a regimental unit. Due to its specialization in counter-terrorism operations and its formation with the assistance of American advisers, the Light Reaction Regiment has been sometimes referred to as the Philippines' Delta Force.
• Naval Special Operations Command - The Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM) is a unit of the Philippine Navy trained in special operations, sabotage, psychological and unconventional warfare and is heavily influenced by the United States Navy SEALs.
• Marine Special Operations Group - The Marine Special Operations Group (MARSOG) was formerly known as the Force Reconnaissance Battalion of the Philippine Marine Corps. It serves similar missions to the now defunct Philippine Navy Special Operations Group.
• 710th Special Operations Wing - The 710th SPOW is the special operations unit of the Philippine Air Force handling hostage rescue and counter-terrorist operations.
• AFP JSOC K-9 Platoon - Highly trained canine unit transferred from the deactivated AFP Joint Special Operations Group.

References

1. "Strategic Overhaul: AFP Strengthens Special Operations for Enhanced Jointness". www.afp.mil.ph.
2. "AFP special forces units now under one command". PTV News. Apr 8, 2018.
3. "Centino recognizes Special Ops Command's growth on 4th anniversary". Manila Bulletin .
4. "What's in the New Philippines Special Operations Command?".
5. "The Special Operations Command is back | Rene Acosta". BusinessMirror . 8 April 2018.
6. "AFP special forces units now under one command". Philippine News Agency.
7. "Special Operations News Update 20180409". 9 April 2018.

Bibliography

• The Philippine Army Public Affairs Office, The Philippine Army: First 100 Years, 1997, OTAPA.
• The Special Forces School, Philippine Army Special Forces Operations Manual PAM 3-071, 2008, SFR(A).
• Dennis V. Eclarin, Scout Ranger Combat Guide (Third Edition), 2003, The Philippine Star.
• Pobre, Cesar P. (2006). History of the Armed Forces of the Filipino People. New Day Publishers. ISBN   9711010410.
• Ryan, Mike (2008). The Operators: Inside the World's Special Forces. Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN   1602392153.
• Southby-Tailyour, Ewen (2005). Jane's Special Forces Recognition Guide. HarpersCollins Publishers. ISBN   0007183291.
• Conboy, Ken. South-East Asian Special Forces. London, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1991