| Special Operations Command, Philippine Army | |
|---|---|
Unit insignia of SOCOM, PA |
|
| Active | January 16, 1978 - Present |
| Country | Philippines |
| Branch | Philippine Army |
| Type | Special Operations Forces |
| Role | Airborne operations, Direct Action, Reconnaissance, Unconventional Warfare, Target Interdiction, |
| Size | 2 Regiments, 1 Light Reaction Battalion, 1 Training Group (Provisional). Total is close to 15000 soldiers |
| Part of | Under the Philippine Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija |
| Mascot | Arrow |
| Engagements | Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines Anti-guerrilla operations against the NPA and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front |
| Decorations | Presidential Streamer Award |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Major General Roberto L Morales AFP |
| Notable commanders |
General Hermogenes Esperon AFP, General Victor S Ibrado AFP, Lieutenant General Arturo Ortiz, AFP |
| Insignia | |
| Unit Patch | SOCOM Patch/Tab |
The Special Operations Command of the Philippine Army is the Command that is responsible for planning conducting and supporting special operations for the Philippine Army. Currently, units under SOCOM are the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), First Scout Ranger Regiment and the Light Reaction Battalion.
Contents |
SOCOM, PA traces its roots to the Army Special Warfare Brigade (ASWABde) that was organized in the 1960s. The ASWABde was a first attempt to reign in the specialties of the Special Forces and the Scout Rangers, two army units that have among the most highly trained personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and structure their collective efforts into a highly effective army unit.
Following the destabilization attempts of the late 1980s, ASWABde was deactivated and the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) was placed directly under the Philippine Army while the First Scout Ranger Regiment was unfilled.
Finding a new need to bring together the efforts of the two regiments, the reorganization of a command to control these elite units was brought up. Additionally, the re-organization and re-assignment of Operational Controls in various units of the AFP also affected the decision to re-establish a "Special Operations Command".
On 25 July 1995, SOCOM was created at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. The First Scout Ranger Regiment was stationed at Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan while the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) was transferred to its traditional home at Fort Magsaysay.
During its establishment as SOCOM in the mid 90s it had three sub-commands, namely: the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne)that was tasked to plan for and conduct Unconventional Warfare Operations; the First Scout Ranger Regiment that was tasked to conduct special reconnaissance and direct action operations against high value targets; and, the Psy-Ops Group that was tasked to plan for and conduct psychological operations in designated areas. The Psy-Ops Group was later detached from SOCOM and was assigned to the Civil Military Operations Group, PA (CMOG, PA). Currently, the SOCOM is structured with two Regiments and a Light Reaction Battalion:
The unit seal of the Special Operations Command is a shield with a tierced bend to the dexter side. The colors are brown, yellow gold and black that is tiered one on top of the other in that order. A white arrow occupies the center of the shield with its tip towards the shield head. A black border occupies the perimenter of the shield.