Special Action Force

History

SAF's known operations

• Pitas Parang, Sulu December 2010 Executed
• Smartbomb Butig, Lanao del Sur July 2012 Executed
• Wolverine Mamasapano, Maguindanao December 2012 Mission aborted
• Cyclops Marawi April 2013 Executed
• Cyclops 2 Marawi June 2013 Mission aborted
• Wolverine 2 Mamasapano, Maguindanao March 2014 Mission aborted
• Wolverine 3 Mamasapano, Maguindanao May 2014 Mission aborted
• Terminator Mamasapano, Maguindanao November 2014 Mission aborted
• Terminator 2 Mamasapano, Maguindanao December 2014 Mission aborted
• Exodus Mamasapano, Maguindanao January 2015 Primary Objective Complete - Marwan killed
• February 1986: EDSA Mutiny.
• 1986 to 1989 - SAF Conducted anti-coup operations against anti-government rebels from the Philippine military.
• Late 1980s to 1990s - First deployed to battle against NPA and MNLF rebels.
• May 1987 - Then PCSAF under MAJOR AVELINO RAZON Jr was deployed in Ifugao to conduct operations against the CPP-NPA.
• 1987 - Two Special Action Companies were deployed in Negros Island and conducted successful operations against the NPAs. It caused the surrender of considerable numbers of the NPA operating in Negros Oriental. The 2SAC and 4SAC were led by 1LT NOLI TALINO and 1LT JOSEPHUS ANGAN and 1LT RAMON MATEO DIZON, who later became Brig General and PSG Commander under President Benigno Aquino III.
• 1992 - Newly created 4SAB under PSUPT ABRAHAM GARCILLANO and PCINSP EMMANUEL CAEG was placed attached with the Western Police District to assist in neutralizing criminal elements involved in robbery/hold-up of banks and pawnshops, including armored cars. 1SAC led by PINSP ADRIATICO DEL CAMAT and PINSP BERNARD BANAC was deployed in Ermita, Manila while the 2SAC led by PINSP CONSTANCIO ITEM and PINSP BERNARDO ROSARIO was deployed in Sampaloc, Manila.
• 1993 - The 3SAB was deployed in Basilan to go after notorious bandits and KFR groups.
• March 15, 1993 - A team of SAF Troopers led by PINSP CLEMENTE VARGAS and PINSP BERNARDO ROSARIO discovered NPA killing fields in Brgy Kalabigan Hills, Marag Valley, Luna, Kalinga-Apayao
• 1994 - The 1SAB led by PCINSO AGER ONTOG, 2SAB led by PCINSP JAIME CALUNGSOD and Special Operations Battalion Deep Reconnaissance Company led by PINSP BERNARD BANAC and PINSP RODOLFO CASTIL Jr replaced the 3SAB under PCINSP BAI LAYON in Basilan with primary function to restore peace and order and conduct operation against Abu Sayyaf.
• 1994 - PSUPT SAMSON TUCAY, Commander, SOB sent the Light Armor Coy "Bubuyog" led by PINSP BERNARDO ROSARIO and PINSP RAMIL MONTILLA to Zamboanga and Basilan to provide fire support to SAF units under the Mindanao Police Task Force.
• 1994 - PINSP JOSEPH PLAZA and PINSP PARENA were among those who headed the SAF Training Group in Basilan to conduct SAFOC.
• October 1994 - Two teams from 2SAB led by PINSP CESAR PASIWEN and PINSP CRIS MENDOZA neutralized Commander "Arabain" in Tuburan, Basilan.
• October 1994 - The 1SAB was deployed in Region 12 with its Battalion HQ at Sultan Kudarat.
• October 1994 - The 1SAC, 1SAB under PINSP WILLY CAYAT backed by 2SAC under PINSO TELLIO NGIS-O successfully took over the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation project from Muslim Rebel Group led by Commander "Damskie". PINSP VICTOR AREVALO and other PNCOs were wounded during the operation. A bomb technician expert who was recovering/disarming anti-personnel mines was killed by a sniper fire.
• December 1994 - The 2SAC led by 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, Chief of police of Carmen MPS in Cotabato with 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. PO2s Ycoy and Pellobello who were part of the Blocking Force were killed in the said operations. The 2SAC, 1SAB was awarded as Best Operating Company by the Regional Police Office 12.
• June 1995 - Composite personnel from 1SAB, 2SAB, 3SAB,4SAB, SOB DEER Coy led by PINSP BERNARD BANAC and PINSP RODOLFO CASTIL Jr and SOB "Bubuyog" LAC led by PINSP BERNARDO ROSARIO and PINSP RAMIL MONTILLA were deployed in Negros Island as primary component of Negros Island Police Task Force.
• September 1996 - The 3SAB under PCINSP ROMAN FELIX was deployed in SBMA-Bataan area to conduct clearing operations as part of security preparation for APEC. 31SAC was attached to 24th IB, Philippine Army under Maj Emmanuel Bautista to conduct joint combat raids in the town of Balanga, Orion, Bataan and nearby area. It was transferred to Mauban, Quezon to support the local police.
• March 1995 - The RECON COY under PSINSP RONALD SANTOS was deployed to Nueva Ecija for election duty and was responsible for many accomplishments to name a few, arrest of Mayor Joson and his 13 bodyguards who were responsible in the killing of Mayor Perez, a political opponent of the Josons.
• 1997 - The RECON COY under PSINSP WILLY CAYAT was deployed in Davao Del Norte at Mount Diwalwal to restore peace and order and conduct police operation against use of explosive components by miners in their operation of mining gold in Mount Diwalwal.
• 1997 to 2000 - The 1SAB under PSUPT BENJAMIN MAGALONG figured in numerous special operations such as arrests and raids on high-profile lawless elements and hostage rescue operations in cooperation with Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force. Its Counter-Terrorist Unit also figured in series of raids against NPA that resulted in the neutralization of some of NPA leaders.
• August 4, 2000 two teams of SAF LRU of PAOCTF Luzon led by PSINSP Edgar Alan Okubo and PSINSP Felix Servita Jr engaged eight fully armed robbers of the Danny Flores Gang after a hot pursuit operation in Alabang, Muntinlupa resulting in the killing of four suspects and arrest of four others and the recovery of six high powered long firearms and five handguns. One SAF trooper was KIA.
• July 27, 2003 - SAF EOD experts were deployed during the Oakwood Mutiny. in Makati city.
• August 25, 2003 - 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, CIDG, Intelligence Group, Traffic Management Group, Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Army Intelligence and Security Group and 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.
• September 28, 2003 - SAF provided Quick Reacion Forces for protection of US President George Bush during his visit to the Philippines.
• October 2, 2003 - SAF arrested Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist, Taofek Refke.
• March 10, 2004 - SAF teams engaged NPA guerrillas in a gunfight alongside soldiers of the Philippine Army's 24th Infantry Battalion at Sitio Caarosipan, Barangay Apostol, San Felipe town. Eight NPA guerillas were confirmed killed. A SAF officer was KIA while three were WIA.
• April 28, 2004 - Arrest of Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the Muslim community in Culiat, Quezon City.
• March 18, 2004 - The SAF Commando Cl-27 composed the 24SAC, 2SAB who were deployed in North Cotabato as requested by Governor Emmanuel Pinol to serve as a peace negotiator between the government and the MILF rebels. They also served as security during the 2004 presidential election in the province.
• May 31, 2004 - SAF protected ballot boxes used in the May 10, 2004 presidential elections.
• June 11, 2004 - SAF teams were deployed in a resettlement area in Taguig, Rizal province after reports of snipers were made to the PNP.
• June 20, 2004 - A SAF officer was killed when SAF and the Zambalez Polie Provincial Mobile Group engaged the NPA in a firefight 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 - The SAF provided security for former Abu Sayyaf hostage Gracia Burnham who testified against said terrorist group in a local courthouse.
• September 27, 2004 - SAF teams were deployed in the Cordillera to disarm various Partisan Armed Group gunmen in the employ of several local prominent politicians.
• January 30, 2005 - SAF arrested opvarious kidnap-for-ransom gang members in Batangas City
• February 10, 2005 - SAF arrested members of a bank robbery gang during a raid in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
• March 15, 2005 - SAF and NCRPO SWAT teams led by PSSUPT BENJAMIN MAGALONG 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. 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. Various foreign groups abroad 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 Abel Arreola was the only SAF operative killed during the attack.
• February 17, 2006 - SAF units were deployed in Southern Leyte as part of a humanitarian contingent of the PNP.
• February 21, 2006 - SAF units patrol grounds of Malacañan Palace after an explosion occurred in the grounds of the Palace said to be from a trash can.
• February 24, 2006 - SAF units were on red alert after coup attempt was discovered.
• October 9, 2006 - SAF units were deployed in Negros Occidental after New People's Army rebels attacked the Silay City airport.
• January 11 to 14, 2007 - SAF units were deployed in Metro Cebu during the 12th ASEAN Summit.
• October 26, 2007 - PSINSP FERMAR ORDIZ, a PNP SAF operative, was shot and killed by robbers in Cubao, Quezon City during a shootout despite wearing a kevlar vest.
• November 29, 2007 - SAF helped in preventing the Manila Peninsula rebellion by arresting the renegade soldiers including Army BGEN DANILO LIM.
• June 13, 2007 - PO2 Marlon Buslig, a PNP SAF operative, was KIA by Abu Sayyaf members 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 - The Parañaque shootout, between the SAF and the Waray-Waray gang which led to death of 16 people, including one SAF member named PO1 Nixon Vinasoy. It was the most controversial mission conducted by the SAF due to the death of two civilians, including a 7-year-old girl caused by the SAF team.
• September 26 to 30, 2009 - Heroic Acts of Special Action Force 61ST Calamity Assistance Rescue Recovery Relief and Emergency Company of Force Support Battalion under PCINSP BYRON 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 - Four SAF Troopers were KIA during an ambush by the NPA in Antipolo, Rizal while five other troopers were WIA.
• May 27, 2013 - Eight SAF Troopers were killed while seven other troopers were wounded during an ambush perpetrated by the NPA in Allacapan, Cagayan.
• September 9 to 28, 2013 - Zamboanga Siege/Attack or Zamboanga City Crisis - the 55SAC of 5SAB and 84SAC of RDB were among the very first government troops to respond to the attack made by elements of a Rouge MNLF faction. They prevented the attackers in going further to the heart of the city. Three SAF Troopers, PO2 Christopher Hernaez of 55SAC and PO2s Lawin Salisa and Enrique Afable of 84SAC, were KIA. A total of 25 government troopers were KIA while 183 members of said faction were KIA and 292 others were captured.
• January 25, 2015 - 44 members of the PNP-Special Action Force were killed by an estimated 800 members of Local Terrorist Groups, Bangsa Moro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and local criminal groups in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, while 12 other troopers were WIA. Among the 44 who were KIA, 35 were from 55SAC, 5SAB while nine from 84SAC, RDB. It was believed that an estimate of more than 200 LTGs were KIA due to the close proximity of the firefight although only 17 was reported. All of the 44 SAF Troopers were awarded the Medal for Valor.
• May 23, 2017 to October 23, 2017 - a Composite SAF Contingent was sent to augment government forces to clear Marawi City from the clutches of an estimated 1,000 members of ISIS inspired and combined Maute and Abu Sayyaf Local Terrorist Groups. For five months, the contingent directly confronted the enemy at the Main Battle Area where they fought side by side with the elite forces of the AFP in neutralizing said LTGs. They provided Assault Teams, Sniper Teams, Weapons Teams, LAC Teams and Seaborne Teams. The contingent was led by PSUPT REX ARVIN MALIMBAN. It was composed of personnel mostly from the CTU Companies of the line battalions such as 83SAC and 84SAC of the RDB led by PSUPT LAMBERT SUERTE, 103SAC and 15SAC of 1SAB led by PSUPT JACK ANGOG, 25SAC of 2SAB led by PSUPT MARIO MAYAMES Jr, composite company mostly from 55SAC of 5SAB led by PSUPT LEDON MONTE. 4SAB and SAFTB also sent personnel. Four were KIA: PO3 Alexis Mangaldan, PO1 Moises Kimayong, PO2 Alexis Laurente and PO2 Daniel Tegwa. For their gallantry in action, PO1 Kimayong earned the Medal for Valor while members of the contingent, except those with the rank of PSUPT, were meritoriously promoted by then CPNP PDG RONALDO DELA ROSA upon their return to the SAF Hqs on October 23, 2017. A total of 168 government troopers were KIA while 974 LTGs were KIA and 12 captured. Thousands of trapped civilians were rescued.

  Structure

• Headquarters
• Force Support Battalion
• Rapid Deployment Battalion
• Six Special Action Force Battalions: 1SAB, 2SAB, 3SAB, 4SAB, 5SAB, 6SAB
• Air Unit

  Functions

• 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 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 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

  Equipment

Pistols

Submachine Guns

Shotguns

Rifles & Carbines

Designated Marksman & Sniper Rifles

Machine Guns

Grenade Launchers and Assault Weapons

Mortars

Armored Vehicles

Aircraft

Commanders

Citations