Sara stresses role of special ops forces as PH faces ‘greater threats’

Vice President Sara Duterte said on Wednesday that the importance of the country’s special operations forces will increasingly grow as the Philippines faces "greater threats to national security" while the international geopolitical landscape continues to evolve.

Duterte acknowledged the efforts of the special operations forces in advocating for national security—from rescuing hostages from terrorists, neutralizing a high-ranking terrorist leader in Mindanao, to raiding a narcotics laboratory in Manila.

“Truly, you have played a significant role in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, and other national security challenges. These displays of bravery and heroism have confirmed our faith in your capacity in dealing with modern-day threats to our national security,” said Duterte.

The Vice President was at the Naval Base Heracleo Alano for the Philippine Naval Special Operations Command (Navsocom) Joint Graduation Ceremony of SEAL Qualification Training Class 15 and Basic Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course Class 20.

Duterte said she was confident that the graduates would become invaluable assets to the Navsocom and the Philippine Navy as they hone their skills to protect the country from all threats, may it be domestic or foreign.

The Navsocom is a speciAl operations unit of the Philippine Navy that specializes in Sea, Air, Land (SEAL) operations ranging from reconnaissance, close combat, demolition, intelligence and underwater operations in support of overall naval operations.  —VAL, GMA Integrated News