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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP dedicates Special Forces' newest drop zone to Vietnam War veteran

AFP dedicates Special Forces' newest drop zone to Vietnam War veteran

Published Jun 29, 2025 01:48 pm
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. (second from left) graces the blessing ceremony of the Magno Marker or drop zone Magno in honor of retired major general Jose P. Magno Jr. (right) during the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. Also in photo is Brig. Gen Rosendo C. Abad Jr., commander of SFR(A). (Photo: AFP)
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. (second from left) graces the blessing ceremony of the Magno Marker or drop zone Magno in honor of retired major general Jose P. Magno Jr. (right) during the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. Also in photo is Brig. Gen Rosendo C. Abad Jr., commander of SFR(A). (Photo: AFP)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) unveiled the newest drop zone of the Philippine Army’s Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) dedicated to a veteran of the Vietnam War.
The “Magno Marker” or drop zone Magno was launched in honor of retired major general Jose “Joemag” P. Magno Jr., who is renowned for his role in shaping the country's Special Forces.
The blessing ceremony was graced by the 95-year-old Magno and AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. during the 63rd founding anniversary of the Special Forces at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on Saturday, June 28.
The Magno Marker will now be used by the Special Forces in dropping paratroopers, supplies, or equipment during airborne operations, training exercises, tactical insertions during combat or special operations, and disaster response or supply missions.
Magno is a revered pioneer of the Special Forces and a paratrooper who helped shape the unit’s early legacy.
He served as part of the organizing cadre of the 1st Special Forces Company at Fort Magsaysay in 1961 to 1962. He played a critical role in training personnel for airborne operations and unconventional warfare, which shaped the unit into the elite formation it is today.
Before his Special Forces work, he served in the Pioneer Scout Ranger training unit and led operations across various conflict zones in the early 1950s.
In 1964, the Philippine government deployed the Philippine Contingent I (PHILCON I), a civil action team, to the Vietnam War. They provided vital medical and humanitarian aid to those suffering from the conflict. Magno is the last surviving member of the PHILCON I.
The civil action team, guided by their mission “To build and not to destroy, to bring happiness and not sorrow,” constructed essential public utilities, supported orphaned children, provided medical care, and conducted dental missions to aid the Vietnamese people during the war.
Developing ‘future-ready’ Special Forces
To cope with today's demands, Brawner said that the AFP is now upgrading its Special Forces to develop elite and “future-ready” troops that are capable of responding to evolving security challenges across multiple domains.
“Through force modernization, joint interoperability, and partnerships with like-minded nations and academe, we are building future-ready Special Forces. One that can operate in every environment—land, sea, cyber, and beyond,” the military chief said.
Brawner, himself a member of the Special Forces, told the elite troops that the rapidly changing world demands a highly adaptable unit that can respond to various security challenges.
“The world is changing rapidly,” he reminded them. “We are living in an era of multi-domain warfare where threats come not only with bullets but with bytes and broadcasts. But the Special Forces are not new to transformation.”
“We were born to be agile and adaptable. From unconventional warfare to riverine operations, from intelligence gathering to influence shaping, the Special Forces remain our sharpest edge, our quiet strength,” the military chief added.
Members of the Army’s Special Forces are known for jungle warfare, unconventional warfare, and airborne operations.
Brawner lauded the Special Forces for their “unmatched versatility,” stating that the success of their missions has always been anchored on the unit’s discipline, initiative, and purpose.
As part of the celebration, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the AFP Special Operations Command Memorial to honor the Special Forces’ heroism.
It was followed by a dynamic capability demonstration by the Special Forces School.
Outstanding officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian stakeholders were also recognized during the event.
The celebration was also attended by Brig. Gen Rosendo C. Abad Jr. PA, commander of SFR(A);  Maj. Gen. Ferdinand B. Napuli, Philippine Army Inspector General and former SFR(A) commander; and Maj. Gen. Joseph Norwind D. Pasamonte, commander of the 7th Infantry Division.
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. graces the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. graces the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. graces the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. graces the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. graces the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. graces the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. graces the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. graces the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. graces the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. graces the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)

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AFP Special Forces Magno Marker Jose P. Magno drop zone Magno Fort Magsaysay
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