Former 2nd Lt Marcos addresses Army Special Forces

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED 2:23 p.m.) — More than four decades after completing training under elite military troops as a second lieutenant, President Marcos returned to the Army’s Special Forces yesterday as their commander-in-chief to celebrate their 61st anniversary and remind them to assist Filipinos in times of crisis.

Marcos, a member of the Special Forces Operations Course Class 21 Alpha of 1979, praised the soldiers of the elite unit for exemplifying “self-sacrifice” and “resilience” and going beyond the call of duty to safeguard communities and to attain peace.

“I think it would be safe to say that you have lived up to your name as the silent professionals. Truly, you have not only played pivotal roles in times of battle but have also become dependable sentinels for the Filipino people,” Marcos told officers and personnel of the Special Forces Regiment Airborne (SFRA) at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Marcos said the Special Forces’ mastery of unconventional warfare strategies becomes more relevant and significant in view of the complex threats that the nation faces.

The Army unit’s responses for humanitarian assistance have created “a ripple of hope” in communities and increased the people’s trust in the military and in the government, he added.

“We enjoin you to keep aiding fellow Filipinos by supporting them in times of crisis,” the President said. “Ensure their safety and well-being during operations and uphold the morale of the people that you serve. May you all continue to train and empower yourselves in maintaining your standing as experts of unconventional warfare strategies.”

Marcos assured the regiment of his administration’s “unassailable” commitment to support their undertakings, strengthen their capabilities and ensure their welfare and that of their families.

He cited the Riverine Operations Equipment Project, which seeks to further improve their capabilities in riverine operations or the insertion and extraction of special forces troops for rescue and other special military missions.

‘One of our own’

In his opening remarks, Special Forces Regiment Airborne Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Napuli said Marcos has always understood the importance of a strong and capable military because of his experience in the Special Forces.

“This celebration is made even more special as the regiment welcomes home his excellency, who can only be properly called one of our own. Forty-four years ago, our now commander-in-chief had undergone a rigorous training to qualify as a Special Forces operator,” Napuli said.

“His presence today is a reminder of our shared duty in safeguarding our nation’s future,” he added.

In the same event, Napuli handed over a badge of the unit to Marcos and presented to him a tablet containing the names of the members of the Special Forces Operations Course Class 21-Alpha of 1979.

“Back then, he (Marcos) was known to be one of the promising and brilliant students who eagerly learned unconventional warfare, the primary mission of the Special Forces. He was equipped with necessary specialization training and skills from highly capable SF (Special Forces instructors),” the program’s emcee said as Marcos received the badge from the Special Forces chief.

Proud history

Marcos said the SFRA has a proud history, noting that it was first led by the late former president Fidel Ramos, who was then a captain.

It was the first operational Special Forces unit with airborne capability during its establishment in 1962, he added.

“Extensively trained in unconventional warfare (and) equipped with various tools and capabilities, the members of the SFRA have proven themselves valuable in both wartime and peacetime operations,” Marcos said. “From combating terrorist groups in the country to supporting peacekeeping operations overseas, we have demonstrated competence and professionalism even in the most challenging times.”

Marcos recalled the search and rescue operations by the Isabela City-based 4th Special Forces Battalion last March, which saved the lives of 316 people who were in a burning passenger marine vessel bound for Jolo port.

Toward the end of the event, Marcos shook hands and had a photo opportunity with his former classmates in the training, all of whom wore red shirts.