- Special Action Force
Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Special Action Force
caption=Special Action Force Official Insignia
country= flagicon|PhilippinesPhilippines
type=Special Forces
branch=Philippine National Police
dates= May 12, 1983 - Present
specialization= DomesticCounter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement, Raids,Unconventional Warfare
command_structure= Directly under control of thePhilippine National Police
size= Classified
current_commander= P/C Felizardo M. Serapio Junior [http://www.pnp.gov.ph/about/content/offices/central/saf/SAFweb/dir.html SAF Directors.] Retrieved on September 21, 2008.] [ [http://www.pnp.gov.ph/about/content/offices/central/saf/SAFweb/leaders.html SAF Leadership.] Retrieved on September 21, 2008.]
garrison= (Main) - Fort Sto. Domingo, Sta. Rosa, Laguna (Camp) - Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig,Metro Manila
ceremonial_chief=
nickname= SAF, Tagaligtas (Saviors)
motto= By virtue of skill, we triumph
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=Anti-guerilla operations against theNew People's Army and formerly theMoro National Liberation Front before taking on theMoro Islamic Liberation Front
Anti-terrorist operations against theAbu Sayyaf
notable_commanders= See "Commanders" Section
anniversaries=
decorations=
identification_symbol=SAF patch on black beret
identification_symbol_label=Subdued PNP patchThe Special Action Force is the primary
special forces unit of thePhilippine National Police .It is formed along the lines of the British (SAS)Special Air Service , but with different recruitment and selection procedures [http://home.avvanta.com/~whitet/ph_ovrview.htm Philippine SF Overview.] Retrieved onJune 21 ,2007 .] [http://home.earthlink.net/~upmrotc/coc/id78.html Six things you have to learn about Philippine Special Operations Forces.] Retrieved on September 28, 2008.] . The SAF, over the years, has received training from the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) andCritical Incident Response Group , RAID andYAMAM [http://home.earthlink.net/~upmrotc/coc/id78.html Six things you have to learn about Philippine Special Operations Forces.] Retrieved on September 28, 2008.] [http://home.avvanta.com/~whitet/ph_ovrview.htm Philippine SF Overview.] Retrieved onJune 21 ,2007 .] . The Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU) of the PNP-SAF is responsible for nationwide PoliceCounter-terrorism (CT) operations nationwide. Meanwhile, the regions have specially-equipped and trained Regional Mobile Forces (RMF) which used to be the Light Reaction Unit (LRU) inMetro Manila and the Regional SAF (RSAF) in the provinces [http://home.avvanta.com/~whitet/ph_ovrview.htm Philippine SF Overview.] Retrieved on June 21, 2007.] .Members or Police trainees who undergo SAF training undergo several special military combat related training such as
airborne forces training,military diving (UDT), and K-9 handling. Some of the best members of the PNP-SAF are chosen to undergobomb disposal orExplosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Training, andVery Important Person (VIP) security training with the Detective and Protection Services Division of the PNP. Graduates of these courses are furthermore handpicked to join the ranks of the president's elite bodyguard unit known as thePresidential Security Group (PSG).SAF members who are distributed either regionally or within Metro Manila are furthermore assigned to
SWAT units or SWAT training units.History
Created on
May 12 ,1983 by the formerPhilippine Constabulary as the Philippine Constabulary Special Action Force [http://www.pnp.gov.ph/about/content/offices/central/saf/info/body.html Performance Highlights.] Retrieved onJune 21 ,2007 .] as a requirement of General Order 323 of Philippine Constabulary Headquarters,Fidel Ramos andRenato de Villa were the founders of the unit. 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. Out of them, 26 were known commissioned officers. Later on, they changed the name of the course to the SAF Commando Course.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, guerillas 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 General Fabian Ver would take over ruling from Ferdinand Marcos, who had been ill during the last few days of the Revolution. [http://www.pnp.gov.ph/about/content/offices/central/saf/info/about/about.html About Special Action Force.] Retrieved onJune 21 ,2007 .]Functions
As designated by the
Philippine National Police , the missions of the Special Action Force are the following: [http://www.pnp.gov.ph/about/content/offices/central/saf/info/about/about.html About Special Action Force.] Retrieved onJune 21 ,2007 .]*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
Assault rifles
*
Colt M16 family (Some are outfitted with M203 grenade launchers)
*FERFRANS SSW (Squad Support Weapon)
*GIAT FAMAS G2
*Heckler & Koch G36
*IMI Galil
*M4 Carbine (Some withM203 grenade launcher s)
*Special Operations Assault Rifle (SOAR)
*SpringfieldM14 rifle ubmachine guns
*FN P90
*Heckler & Koch MP5 series
*IMIUzi familyniper rifles
*Barrett M82A1
*Heckler & Koch MSG-90
*IMI Galil ARM Sniper
*Remington M700
*Stoner SR-25Machine guns
*
FN Minimi LMG
*FN Minimi Para LMG
*ST KineticsUltimax 100 LMG
*US Ordnance M60General purpose machine gun (GPMG)
*Vektor SS-77 GPMG (Mounted on Land Rover Defenders)Known operations
*1986-1989: Had conducted anti-coup operations against anti-government rebels from the Philippine military. [http://www.pnp.gov.ph/about/content/offices/central/saf/SAFweb/storyd.html The Origin of Wildfire.] Retrieved on September 21, 2008.]
*Late 1980s/1990s: First deployed to battle against NPA and MNLF rebels.
*July 27 2003 : SAF EOD experts deployed during theOakwood Mutiny . [ [http://www.pnp.gov.ph/about/content/offices/central/saf/info/reports/report.html PNP SAF Annual Report.] Retrieved onJune 21 ,2007 .]
*August 25 ,2003 : Several SAF units were deployed inMakati after heavily-armed bank robbers attacked the headquarters ofCitibank 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-AFP soldiers believed to be responsible for the Citibank Philippines robbery. [ [http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/man/2003/09/23/news/police.arrest.9.bank.robbery.suspects.html Police arrest 9 bank robbery suspects.] Retrieved onJune 21 ,2007 .]
*September 28 ,2003 : Protection for US President George Bush during his visit to the Philippines.
*October 2 ,2003 : Arrest ofJemaah Islamiyah terrorist,Taofek Refke . [http://www.pnp.gov.ph/about/content/offices/central/saf/info/body.html Performance Highlights.] Retrieved onJune 21 ,2007 .]
*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 ofAbu Sayyaf terrorists in the Muslim community inCuliat ,Quezon City .
*May 31 ,2004 : Protection of ballot boxes used in theMay 10 ,2004 presidential elections.
*June 11 ,2004 : SAF teams deployed in a resettlement area inTaguig ,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 inZambales 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 hostageGracia 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 inBatangas 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 [ [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/World/GC16Wd02.html At least 23 die in Manila jail raid.] Retrieved onJune 21 ,2007 .] . 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 [ [http://www.bulatlat.com/news/5-36/5-36-muslim.htm Camp Bagong Diwa Likened to Auswichtz] . Retrieved onJune 21 ,2007 .] . 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. [ [http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/man/2005/03/18/news/police.muslims.to.thwart.sayyaf.reprisals.html Police, Muslims to thwart Sayyaf reprisals.] Retrieved onJune 21 ,2007 .]
*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 ofMalacañang 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 afterNew People's Army rebels attacked the Silay City airport. [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metroregions/view_article.php?article_id=25679 Elite military, police units to go after NPA in airport raid.] Retrieved onJune 21 ,2007 .]
*January 11-14, 2007: SAF units had been present in Cebu during the 12thASEAN summit 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. [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=96968 Police officer, 4 robbers killed in QC shootout.] Retrieved onOctober 26 ,2007 .]
*November 29 ,2007 : SAF involved in theManila Peninsula rebellion after several SAF officers had arrested renegade soldiers, including Brigadier General Danilo Lim [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/70723/Brig-Gen-Danilo-Lim-arrested Brig Gen. Danilo Lim arrested.] Retrieved onNovember 30 ,2007 .] . Earlier, the SAF had been summoned in to barricadeThe Peninsula Manila . [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/70655/(Update)-National-Police-in-full-alert (Update) National Police in full alert.] Retrieved on November 30, 2007.]
*Various anti-insurgent operations against the NPA.
*Various anti-terrorist operations against theAbu Sayyaf .upport
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 [http://www.pnp.gov.ph/about/content/offices/central/saf/info/body.html Performance Highlights.] Retrieved on June 21, 2007.] , or via vehicles such as the
M998 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 Defender jeeps 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
The list are the directors who had commanded the SAF [http://www.pnp.gov.ph/about/content/offices/central/saf/SAFweb/dir.html SAF Directors.] Retrieved on September 21, 2008.] .
References
External links
* [http://www.pnp.gov.ph/about/content/offices/central/saf/SAFweb/index.html Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) official website]
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