photo: PNP-SAF
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be sending at least 156 of its Special Action Force (SAF) commandos to join the military exercises between the Philippines and the United States troops aimed at further improving the country's territorial defense capability.
PNP-SAF director Maj. Gen. Bernard Banac said his men’s participation in the 39th iteration of Balikatan is important since it would widen the experience and skills of police commandos in battle plan and territorial defense
The Balikatan exercises is the largest annual bilateral training exercises between the Philippines and the United States. For this year, it will be from April 22 to May 10.
“The annual event would provide SAF an opportunity to observe, learn and gain experience on all-domain operations—sea, air, land—command control, and cybersecurity,” said Banac.
“As the rapid deployment force of the PNP, the SAF seeks to strengthen interoperability, collaboration, and coordination with friends, partners, and allies,” he added.
He said PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has already given a go-signal for the participation of the 156 SAF commandos.
Largest war games
Around 16,770 service members from the United States and the Philippines will converge in Manila for joint training across the country.
Participants from the Australian Defense Force and French Navy will also be joining select drills while 14 countries will send contingents as observers such as Japan, South Korea, India, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Germany, and New Zealand.
A Multilateral Maritime Exercise featuring participation from the AFP, US Navy, French Navy, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and US Coast Guard is also planned within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The 39th Balikatan exercises will be held in various parts of Luzon, particularly in areas under the operation of the Northern Luzon Command, the Western Command, and the Southern Luzon Command.
Training shift and modernization
Founded in 1983 by then Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos, SAF’s primary task was to battle insurgency and terrorism.
Eventually, the unit expanded its role to battle organized crime groups and high-value target criminals and later to the conduct of counterinsurgency operations, counter-terrorism in urban and rural areas, hostage rescue, civil disturbance management, search and rescue operations in times of disasters and calamities, and other special operations.
Currently, SAF has 13 line battalions, a force support battalion (FSB), and an Air Unit (AU) deployed in the different areas of the country.
SAF is PNP’s well-equipped and well-trained elite force. SAF commandos have been involved in special operations against terror groups over the years especially in Mindanao, including the operation that neutralized top foreign bomb trainer Marwan in 2015 and the five-month long Marawi City siege in 2017.
Under Banac, SAF has already shifted its training programs to territorial defense, citing the need to be prepared amid the current global security situations that include the tension in the West Philippine Sea.
On April 11, SAF opened its local training on rapid deployment by air: Basic Airborne Course class 57-2024 at Fort Sto Domingo Sta Rosa City Laguna.
Banac said they have already come up with the modernization plan for the SAF that would boost its capability on rapid deployment and special operations by air, land and sea.
“Hopefully by 2025 to 2028, we can procure additional special weapons like light armor vehicles and special communications equipment,” said Banac.