SPECIAL ACTION FORCE

(SAF)

The Special Action Force (SAF) is the elite unit of the Philippine National Police founded
by Fidel V. Ramos. SAF Commandos have received training from the Hostage Rescue
Team (HRT), Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG), RAID and Yamam. The Anti-
Terrorist Unit (ATU) of the PNP-SAF is responsible for police counter-terrorism (CT)
operations nationwide.

MISSION
To conduct operations as a Rapid Deployment Force anywhere in the country
specifically in the situations with national and international implications in the areas of
counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, hostage rescue, search and rescue, civil
disturbance management and other special operations.

VISION
By 2030, with the aid of Almighty, we shall be a highly capable, effective and credible
tactical support of the country.

FUNCTIONS
As designated by the Philippine National Police, the missions of the Special Action Force
are the following:[8][27]

To develop, organize 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 (CUW) 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 (CDM) 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.
STRENGTH/NUMBERS
As of 2020, the SAF’S command structure is consist of the following:
Headquarters Force Support Battalion
Rapid Deployment Battalion
Light Armor Battalion
Twelve Special Action Force Battalions:
1SAB, 2SAB, 3SAB, 4SAB, 5SAB, 6SAB, 7SAB, 9SAB, 10SAB, 11SAB, 12SAB, 14SAB
Air Unit

TRAINING AND DURATION

Training for personnel, known as SAF Troopers, is delivered by the unit at its HQ. There
are a number of courses available (Nepomuceno, 2019a & 2019b; Oliva, 2019):
Public Safety Basic Recruit Course (PSBRC) with Field Training Program (FTP) (In-
Service Training).
6 months in duration (Talabong, 2019).
Field Training Program known as the Special Action Force Commando Operations
Course (SAFCOC):
Or equivalent course such as:
The Scout Ranger Course;
Force Reconnaissance Course; or
Special Forces Operations Course.
6-8 months in duration (Talabong, 2019).
Initially termed the SAF Ranger Course, then SAF Commando Course, and now the
SAFCOC.
Specialization courses, including:
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).
Basic Airborne Course (BAC).
Urban Counter-Revolutionary Warfare (SURESHOCK).
Basic Underwater Search and Rescue Operations Course (BURSOC).
SAF Seaborne Warfare Course (SSWC).
Basic Internal Security Operations Course (BISOC):
“The newly appointed Police Inspectors underwent the first batch of Basic Internal
Security Operation[s] Course (BISOC) conducted from May 12, 2017 to August 2, 2017
by the Special Action Force to better prepare them on the challenges of the Internal
Security Operations.” (PNP, 2017, p.52).
A new specialization course that focuses on the enhancement of the combat skills of the
individual (PNP, 2017).
Pistol Instructor Certification Course (PICC) (PNP, 2015).

RANKS
The Commander-in-Chief: The President of the Philippines
The Chairman, National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM): The Secretary of the Interior
and Local Government (SILG) through:
The Vice Chairman & Executive Officer, National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).
The Undersecretary for Public Safety, Department of Interior and Local Government
(UPS, DILG); and
The Undersecretary for Peace and Order, Department of Interior and Local Government
(UPO, DILG).
The Chief, Philippine National Police (C, PNP) (with the rank of "Police General")
through:
The Deputy Chief for Administration, Philippine National Police (DCA, PNP) (with the
rank of "Police Lieutenant General")
The Deputy Chief for Operations, Philippine National Police (DCO, PNP) (with the rank
of "Police Lieutenant General"); and
The Chief of the Directorial Staff, Philippine National Police (CDS, PNP) (with the rank of
"Police Lieutenant General")
The Chief, Special Action Force (C, SAF) (with the rank of "Police Major General")

SALARIES
Police General – Php 149,785.00
Police Lieutenant General- Php 125,574.00
Police Major General -Php 102,896.00
Police Brigadier General- Php 91,058.00
Police Colonel- Php 80,583.00
Police Major- Php 62,555.00
Police Captain- Php 56,582.00
Police Lieutenant- Php 49,528.00
Police Executive Master Sergeant- Php 38,366.00
Police Chief Master Sergeant – Php 34,761.00
Police Senior Master Sergeant- Php 34,079.00
Police Master Sergeant- Php 33,411.00
Police Staff Sergeant- Php 32,114.00
Police Corporal- Php 30,867.00
Patrolman/Patrolwoman- Php 29, 668.00