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The Special Operations Command, Philippine Army traces its roots from the Army Special Warfare Brigade (ASWBde), which was organized on 16 January 1978 with then COLONEL DAVID R ABUNDO JR as its first commander. The brigade then consisted of the Home Defense Forces Group (HDFG)and the Combat Training Center as its major subordinate units.
The Headquarters of the ASWBde was initially set at the former site of the liaison offices (former Headquarters Battalion, PA area) in Fort Bonifacio. The HDFG and SOG were co-located at Fort Magsaysay while the First Scout Ranger Group (FSRG) remained at Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal.
After its organizational phase, the ASWBde Headquarters was transferred to Fort Magsaysay while the vacated facility became the Special Warfare Brigade Admin Center.
Renowned for their special operations capabilities and effectiveness, the units of the First Scout Ranger Group and the Home Defense Forces Group (Airborne) were deployed all over the country to support the Infantry Divisions and the regional Unified Commands in the campaign against the communist insurgents, secessionist groups and other lawless elements. The escalation of the communist insurgency in the early 80’s necessitated the strengthening of the operational capabilities of the two Groups by activating additional companies.
