CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Andres C Centino encouraged members of the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to seek out new ways to enhance their warfighting skills.
“I encourage everyone to not only do a great job but also expand your horizons by overcoming your own limits. I am sure that through the guidance of your commander, you will continuously work on the perfection of your core competency that is warfighting which has surely contributed much to the mission accomplishment of the AFP,” he said.
General Centino attended the SOCOM’s 4th anniversary celebration in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on Friday, April 1. Present were Major General Francisco Ariel Felicidario III, the SOCOM Commander, and Commanders of other Special Operations units.
He led the wreath-laying ceremony for the departed brothers of SOCOM and the subsequent recognition of outstanding active SOCOM members and former commanders.
The Chief of Staff likewise presided over the reading of the Recategorization Order of SOCOM from being an AFP-Wide Service Support Unit to a Combatant Command.
“SOCOM plays a significant role in strengthening our ability to confront security challenges, particularly in the conduct of joint and combined operations involving Special Operations Forces, and in fostering interoperability between the different territorial functional units in the AFP,” he said.
SOCOM is a joint special operations command responsible for planning, conducting, and supporting special operations.
These Special Operation units scattered all over the country are considered the pillars of SOCOM that proactively address security issues and challenges using their specialized skills and distinctive way of warfighting.
In line with SOCOM’s anniversary theme of ‘Excellence Amidst Changes,’ General Centino advised the troops to always remain relevant as the organization adapts to ever-changing times.
“With the encouraging development in our fight against COVID-19 and as cases had gone down in the past months, we must all the more remain cohesive and alert for any contingency that will require your special skills and proficiency,” he said./// (Photos by TSg Randulf Obinque PAF/PAOAFP)
