CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City - Demonstrating unwavering resolve and excellence, the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), Philippine Army marked its 63rd founding anniversary on Saturday, June 28 through ceremonies that honored its rich legacy and reaffirmed its future-ready posture.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., who himself is a proud member of the Special Forces, graced the celebration as Guest of Honor and Speaker. In his keynote message, he lauded the Special Forces operators for their unmatched versatility, stating, “Mission success has always been anchored on discipline, initiative, and purpose.”
“The world is changing rapidly,” he reminded the troops. “We are living in an era of multi-domain warfare where threats come not only with bullets but with bytes and broadcasts. But the Special Forces are not new to transformation. We were born to be agile and adaptable. From unconventional warfare to riverine operations, from intelligence gathering to influence shaping, the Special Forces remain our sharpest edge, our quiet strength.”
As part of the celebration, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the AFP Special Operations Command Memorial to honor the Special Forces’ heroism, followed by a dynamic capability demonstration by the Special Forces School. The highlight of the day also included the recognition of outstanding Officers, Enlisted Personnel, and Civilian Stakeholders who have exemplified the regiment’s core values.
A solemn blessing ceremony of the drop zone Magno or “Magno Marker” was also conducted, in honor of Maj. Gen. Jose P. Magno Jr. (Ret.), a revered pioneer of the Special Forces and paratrooper who helped shape the unit’s early legacy in the 1960s.
In attendance were BGen Rosendo C. Abad Jr. PA, SFR(A) Commander; Maj. Gen. Ferdinand B. Napuli PA, Philippine Army Inspector General and former SFR(A) Commander, an Maj. Gen. Joseph Norwind D. Pasamonte, Commander of the 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
General Brawner capped his address with a vision for the future of the Special Forces. “Through force modernization, joint interoperability, and partnerships with like-minded nations and academe, we are building future-ready Special Forces. One that can operate in every environment—land, sea, cyber, and beyond.”///
Photos by PFC Richard Carmelotes PN(M)/PAOAFP
