Special Action Force

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Special Action Force

Special Action Force Official Insignia

Active

May 16, 1983 - Present

Country

Philippines

Allegiance

Republic of the Philippines

Branch

Philippine Constabulary

Philippine National Police

Type

Special Forces

Role

Domestic Counter-Terrorism and Law

Enforcement, Raids, Commando-type
Unconventional Warfare

Size

Classified

Part of

Directly under control of the Philippine

National Police

Garrison/H

(Main) - Fort Sto. Domingo, Sta. Rosa,

Laguna
(Camp) - Camp Bagong Diwa,

Taguig,Metro Manila
Nickname

SAF, Tagaligtas (Saviors)

Motto

By skill and virtue, we triumph[1]

Colors
Anniversari

Black berets - SAF beret

16 May

es
Engagemen

Anti-guerrilla operations against the New

ts

People's Army and formerly the Moro

National Liberation Front before taking on
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front

Anti-terrorist operations against the Abu

Sayyaf
Decorations
Philippine Republic Presidential Unit
Citation Badge

Commanders
Current

Police Chief Superintendent Virgilio Moro

commander

Lazo

Notable

See Commanders Section

commander
s

Insignia
PNP SAF
Beret Patch

PNP SAF
Badge

This article uses citations that link to broken or outdated sources. Pleaseimprove the article or
discuss this issue on the talk page. Help on using footnotes is available. (January 2013)
The Special Action Force is the National Mobile Unit of the Philippine National Police founded
by Fidel 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 the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) andCritical Incident Response
Group, RAID and YAMAM.[2][3] The Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU) of the PNP-SAF is responsible for
nationwide Police Counter-terrorism (CT) operations nationwide.
Members or Police trainees who undergo SAF training undergo several special military combat
related training such as Basic Airborne Course training, 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
to SWAT units 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]

1 History
o

1.1 Known operations

2 Structure

3 Functions

4 Weapons

5 Support

6 Commanders

7 References

7.1 Citations

7.2 Bibliography

History[edit]
Created on May 12, 1983 by the former Philippine Constabulary as the Philippine Constabulary
Special Action Force[9]as a requirement of General Order 323 of Philippine Constabulary
Headquarters, Fidel Ramos and Renato 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 against NPA and former MNLF guerillas in 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 Ramos was 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: EDSA Mutiny.

19861989: Had conducted anti-coup operations against anti-government rebels from the
Philippine military.[16]

Late 1980s1990s: First deployed to battle against NPA and MNLF rebels.

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 MalitubogMaridagao 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 incoming 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: SAF EOD experts deployed during the Oakwood Mutiny.[17]

August 25, 2003: Several SAF units were deployed in Makati after heavily armed bank
robbers attacked the headquarters of Citibank Philippines.

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 President George Bush during his visit to the
Philippines.

October 2, 2003: Arrest of Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist, Taofek Refke.[9]

March 10, 2004: SAF teams engaged NPA guerrillas 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 of Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the Muslim community in Culiat, 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 in Taguig, Rizal province 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 an NPA squad in a gunfight in Zambales province.

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 Sayyaf hostage Gracia Burnham, who testified
against the terrorist group in a local courthouse.

September 27, 2004: SAF teams deployed in the Cordillera in 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 in Batangas City

February 10, 2005: A bank robbery gang was arrested during a raid in San
Fernando City, 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 of Malacaan Palace after 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 after New People's Army rebels
attacked the Silay City airport.[22]

January 1114, 2007: SAF units had been present in Cebu during the 12th ASEAN summit
in Metro 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 the Manila Peninsula rebellion after several SAF
officers had arrested renegade soldiers, including Brigadier General Danilo Lim. [24]Earlier, the
SAF had been summoned in to barricade The Peninsula Manila.[25]

June 13, 2007: Police Officer 2 Marlon Buslig, a PNP SAF operative was shot and killed
by Abu Sayyaf firces in Indanan, Sulu during a combat operation despite wearing a kevlar vest.

Various anti-insurgent operations against the NPA.

Various anti-terrorist operations against the Abu 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 by Typhoon
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 the New People's Army in Antipolo 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 in Allacapan,Cagayan.[27][28]

January 25, 2015 44 members of the PNP-Special Action Force were killed by members of
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mamasapano, 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 Battatlions

Functions[edit]

As designated by the Philippine 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
thoroughfares

Weapons[edit]

Special Action Force operators undergo CQB training while wearing respirators.

Weapon

Type

Glock 17[31]

Pistol

Colt M1911[32]

Pistol

Colt M16[33]

Assault Rifle

Special Operations Assault

Rifle (SOAR)

Notes

Various variants(Some are outfitted with M203

grenade launchers)[32]

Assault Rifle

Marine Scout Sniper Rifle

Sniper Rifle

Night Fighting Weapon System variant

GIAT FAMAS

Assault Rifle

G2 Variants

Heckler & Koch G36

Assault Rifle

Heckler & Koch UMP

Submachine gun

IMI Tavor TAR-21

Assault Rifle

IMI Galil[32]

Assault Rifle

M4 Carbine

Assault Rifle

M14 rifle

Battle Rifle

[32]

TAR-21 and CTAR-21 Variants

Some with M203 grenade launchers

Known to be used in the SAF's Commando
Course[32]

M1 Garand[32]

Semi-auto Rifle

SR-25[33]

Sniper Rifle

FN P90[34]

Submachine gun

Heckler & Koch MP5

Submachine gun

different variants

IMI Uzi

Submachine gun

different variants

Benelli M4 Super 90

Semi-automatic
Shotgun

Mossberg 500

Shotgun

Remington 870[citation needed]

Shotgun

Barrett M82 Barrett rifle

Anti-materiel rifle

Heckler & Koch MSG-90

Sniper Rifle

IMI Galil ARM Sniper[32]

Assault rifle

Remington M700

Sniper Rifle

Savage 10FP[31][35]

Sniper rifle

FN Minimi

Light Machine Gun

ST Kinetics Ultimax 100

Light Machine Gun

US Ordnance M60[32]

General Purpose
Machine Gun

Vektor SS-77

General Purpose
Machine Gun

M82A1 Variant

M700P variant

Issued both standard Minimi and Para variant

Mounted 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 theM998 Humvee, mounted
with a Browning M2 machine gun on top, modified Ford F-150s, and the V-150 Commando APC as
a form of armed support. Land Rover Defenderjeeps are also used by the SAF, modified to house a
Browning M2 machine gun and a Vektor SS-77 machine 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.

NAME

RANK

TERM

Reynaldo Velasco

Lieutenant Colonel

May 16, 1983 - February 13, 1987

Avelino I. Razon Jr.

Major

February 14, 1987 - August 1, 1989

Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr.

Police Chief Superintendent

August 2, 1989 - February 11, 1991

Enrique T. Bulan

Police Chief Superintendent

February 12, 1991 - March 8, 1992

Dictador L. Alqueza

Police Chief Superintendent

March 8, 1992 - June 5, 1992

Recaredo A. Sarmiento III

Police Chief Superintendent

June 6, 1992 - August 2, 1994

Edgar B. Aglipay

Police Chief Superintendent

August 2, 1994 - June 6, 1996

Marcelo E. Navarro Jr

Police Chief Superintendent

June 16, 1996 - August 23, 1998

Jose O. Dalumpines

Police Chief Superintendent

August 14, 1998 - February 14, 2001

Rogelio B. Bathan

Police Chief Superintendent

February 14, 2001 - September 13, 2002

Servando M. Hizon

Police Chief Superintendent

September 14, 2002 - December 27, 2003

Silverio D. Alarcio Jr.

Police Chief Superintendent

December 27, 2003 - September 8, 2004

Marcelino F. Franco Jr.

Police Chief Superintendent

September 9, 2004 - February 26, 2006

Silverio D. Alarcio Jr.

Police Chief Superintendent

February 26, 2006 - May 18, 2006

Leocadio SC Santiago Jr.

Police Director

March 2007 - 2011

Catalino S. Cuy

Police Director

2011 - June 2012

Getulio P. Napeas

Police Director

December 11, 2013 - January 27, 2015

Noli Talio

Police Chief Superintendent

January 27, 2015 March 4, 2015

Moro Virgilio Lazo

Police Chief Superintendent

March 4, 2015 present