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| AFP Joint Special Operations Command | |
|---|---|
 Unit Seal of the AFPSOCOM | |
| Active | January 16, 1978 – May 28, 2025 (As AFP Special Operations Command May 28, 2025 (As AFP Joint Special Operations Command)[1] |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Branch |  Armed Forces of the Philippines |
| Type | Special Operations |
| Size | Classified |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Ramon Magsaysay,Nueva Ecija |
| Colors | Maroon, Gold and Black |
| Anniversaries | January 16 |
| Decorations | _Streamer.png) Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge Presidential Streamer Award |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | COL David Abundo Jr., PA LTGEN Francisco Ariel A Felicidario III, PA GENHermogenes Esperon, PA GEN Victor Ibrado, PA LTGENArturo Ortiz, PA LTGEN Danilo M. Pamonag, PA GENDionisio Santiago, PA |
| Current Commander | BGEN Eliglen F. Villaflor PA |
| Special Operations Forces (SOF) |  |
The AFP Joint Special Operations Command (AFPJSOC)[1] is the special operations command of theArmed Forces of the Philippines. The command serves as the AFP's unified command for special operations, which includes the special units forces under the army, navy, air force, and marine corps. It serves as the replacement of the AFP Special Operations Command,[2] and is responsible for planning, conducting, and supporting special operations missions.
The official anniversary date of AFPSOCOM is on January 16, 1978 - the same date the Philippine Army Special Warfare Brigade (ASWABde) was organized.[3]
The AFPJSOC traces its roots to the Army Special Warfare Brigade (ASWABde) that was organized in January 1978.[3] The Army Special Warfare Brigade was the first attempt to unify the specialties of two army units with the most highly trained personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), theSpecial Forces and theScout Rangers, and structure their collective efforts into a highly effective army unit. Disbanded in 1986, it was reactivated as the Philippine Army Special Operations Command (PA-SOCOM) in 1995.[3] It has been headquartered inFort Magsaysay,Nueva Ecija since its reactivation,[4] and was expanded in 2004 to accommodate the then newly activatedLight Reaction Company.
On April 6, 2018, the PA-SOCOM was elevated to an Armed Forces combatant command and became the AFPSOCOM.[4] This was done as part of lesson learned by AFP officers in the Zamboanga and Marawi sieges in 2013 and 2017.[5]
TheAFP Joint Special Operations Group (AFP-JSOG) was also disbanded and its officers, enlisted personnel and units was transferred to form the core of the new command.[2] The units transferred from the AFP-JSOG included not just theLight Reaction Regiment, but also theNaval Special Operations Group, now the Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM), and the710th Special Operations Wing.
The AFP-JSOG K-9 Platoon was also included into the new command.[2]
On May 28, 2025, the command was disbanded and reformed to be the AFPJSOC alongside the reactivation of the Special Operations Command, Philippine Army (SOCOM, PA).[6]
The mission of the AFP JSOC is to plan, conduct and support special operations in all operational environments in support of the fundamental missions of the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines.
SOCOM forces are employed based on the following core capabilities:
The JSOC training regimen comprises different types of training. These training methods are employed to enhance the skills and abilities of the different units under the command.
The currentAFP Joint Special Operations Command is organized with the following units:[7][8]
| Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) |
|
|---|---|
| Leadership | |
| Army | Reserve Command (RESCOM) |
| Air Force | |
| Navy | |
| Coast Guard | |
| Wars and conflicts | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
