The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during its incipient stage was composed of four large organizations, the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Philippine Constabulary (PC). In the early 80's, President Marcos saw the need to create elite units within the component services of the AFP to streamline its operations, to address the various threats to national security, and to revitalize the military for his bid for another Presidential term. The Special Action Force became the elite unit of the PC on May 16, 1983 under the then LT GEN FIDEL RAMOS, the Vice Chief of Staff and Chief, PC. The newly formed unit was initially composed of 60 battle-tested and highly skilled soldiers; only the best warriors coming from the PC Long Range Patrol, Special Operations Groups, Light Reaction Unit and other PC striking units. PC MAJ REYNALDO VELASCO became its first commander.

         As told by its original members, PC-SAF then can be compared to the United States Army Rangers. Yesterday was the only easy day. The rigors of activities rotate between training, isolation, deployment and two weeks of rest in a year. It was also standard initial issue for PC-SAF troopers to have pair of tropical boots and set of US Woodland Camouflage battle duty uniform together with issued firearms were ample supply of ammunition to ensure a high standard of marksmanship. There were also special equipment like Night Vision Goggles or NVGs that were not even issued by the AFP counterparts. To be a full pledge PC-SAF Trooper then as it is today, it was mandatory to pass the Ranger Course. It was usual to have two hundred students and end up with more or less fifty graduates. The PC-SAF officers ensure that waht the troppers need in the field were met, even a taste of donut, ice cream r hamburger during Command Visits. These duties became the cornerstone of today's elan and prestige of the SAF as a unit.From the first billeting area in Camp Crame, the troops transferred its base camp to Cam Castaneda (presently PNPA) in Silang, Cavite where they found themselves living in dilapidated buildings and with poor living conditions. The troops improved and developed the place while conducting the first PC Ranger Course with then CAPT. AVELINO RAZON,JR , CAPT. SILVERIO ALARCIO, JR , 1st LT LECADIO SANTIAGO,JR , 2nd LT AGER ONTOG, JR, and other officers supervising the troops.In 1985, the SAF moved back to Camp Crame to be close to the seat of government during the turbulent post-Ninoy Aquino era. A year after was the EDSA revolution where the SAF played a significant role in defending Camp Crame during the 4-day historic event. They also composed the core group early military opposition forces, one of the first batches of the military that broke away from Marcos. Corazon Aquino was catapulted into the Presidency by "People Power" but her administration was likewise confronted with serveral problems brought about by highly-political military establishment. President Aquino weathered several coups during her term as President. Throughout these times, the SAF was still doing counter-insurgency operations in the provinces. However a company was always left in barracks, ready-on-call in case of emergency. In the midst of these uncertainties, SAF deputy PC MAJ AVELINO I RAZON became the commander and under him, the SAF became a counter-coup force. LT COL HERMOGENES EBDANE became the last Commander of the SAF under the PC. He consolidated the SAF Troops for its dual roles as a counter-coup and a counter-insurgency force. On December 13, 1990, President Aquino signed into law Republic Act No. 6975, otherwise known as the DILG Act of 1990. With its enactment, the PC-SAF was also restructured to a brigade-size mobile force composed of the Force Headquarters, Combat Support Unit, Recon Battalion and three (3) SAF Battalions. This reorganization took place in 1992 under the helm of SAF Director PCSUPT ENRIQUE BULAN.As year went by and new commanders came in, the PNP SAF began to get its dose of anti-criminality tasks. The Proficiency and discipline of SAF Troopers led to the detail of some troopers to other PNP Units to help in Special Operations. For instance, the PNP SAF became the operational backbone of the Presidential Anti Organized Task Force (PAOCTF) under PDG PANFILO LACSON. True to its reputation as an elite unit, the PNP SAF was also tasked to provide security to high-profile detainees to include Former President Estrada, Former Senator Gegorio Honasan and Former ARMM Governor Nur Misuari.

       

Front(L-R) Cris Acosta,Alrex Celis, Mike Laurel, Rod Fernandez, Antonio Borja, Ager Ontog, Alex Arevalo
Middle(L-R) Marcelo Manalo, Leo Lapenas, Eduardo Balletan, Ed Sarmiento, Reynaldo Velasco,
Fidel V. Ramos, Sonny Razon, Sammy Pagdilao, Tony Gumiran
Back(L-R) Villamor Bumanglag, Leocadio SC Santiago Jr, Rey Corpuz, Alex Sebrano, Tony Tapia,
Rosendo Ferrer, Ramon Mateo Dizon