The Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM)^[1] is a separate command of the Philippine Navy trained in special operations, sabotage, psychological and unconventional warfare and is heavily influenced by the United States Navy SEALs. NAVSOCOM is headquartered at Naval Base Heracleo Alano Sangley Point, Cavite City.^[2] It has eleven units located across the Philippines, from Naval Operating Base San Vicente at Santa Ana, Cagayan in the north to Naval Station Zamboanga in the south.

The unit's tasks were also expanded to cover all facets of unconventional warfare in a maritime and riverine environment. This includes but is not limited to demolition, hostage rescue, harassment, force protection and maritime tactical operations.

The predecessor unit to the NAVSOCOM, the Underwater Operations Team or UOT was activated on 5 November 1956 as a special operations unit of the Philippine Navy.^[3] Patterned after the US Navy Underwater Demolition Teams and the Italian Decima Flottiglia MAS with modifications for Philippine conditions, from its founding the UOT was charged with conducting underwater operations in waterways, beach areas and harbors in support of Philippine naval operations. These operations included underwater explosive disposal, mine countermeasures, salvage and search and rescue. In 1959, the UOT was expanded and redesignated the Underwater Operations Unit (UOU), then as the Underwater Operations Group (UOG).^[4]

The UOG was then renamed Special Warfare Group (SWG) in 1983,^[5] then Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG), and later on as the Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) on May 30, 2005.^[6]

The unit took the Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM) name on July 7, 2020.^[7] Among the changes included the name change from the Naval Diving Unit (NDU) to the Naval Diving Group (NDG).^[1]

On August 20, 2022, the Philippine Navy made NAVSOCOM a regular combat support command with Commodore Alfonspin Tumanda Jr as the commanding officer, taking over from Captain Dwight Steven Dulnoan.^[8]

On November 6, 2022, Vice President Sara Duterte paid a visit to the unit in Sangley Point, Cavite during the 66th anniversary celebration of the unit's founding.^[7]

The unit specializes in Sea, Air, Land (SEAL) operations ranging from reconnaissance, close combat, demolition, intelligence and underwater operations in support of overall naval operations. The unit gained prominence in a number of counter-terrorism operations, most notably against the Abu Sayyaf Group, and is known for its highly-demanding physical training program which is based on the United States Navy SEAL program.^[9]

There are similarities between the Philippines Naval Special Operations Command and the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command. NAVSOCOM operators are trained and operate in a manner similar to the U.S. Navy SEALs. They also wear a trident similar to their U.S. Navy counterparts.

The Filipino counterpart of the U.S. counterterrorist United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) is the Philippine Naval Special Reaction Group (SRG), which operates under the direction of Naval Intelligence.^[11]

They frequently train with their American counterparts and operate alongside the Philippine Marines and the Philippine Army's Special Operations Command (SOCOM).^[12][13]

NAVSOCOM is composed of the following units as of 2020:^[14]

NAVSOCOM is known to use the hk 416 M4 assault rifles, M60 GPMG and M110 sniper rifle and night vision pvs 14s some may use pvs 31s.^[15]

10 fast boats were acquired by the unit in December 2020.^[16]