Captain Dwight Steven M. Dulnoan, a proud Igorot from Ifugao, was welcomed as the new Commander of the Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG), also referred to as the Philippine Navy SEALs.
Captain Andro Val P Abayon relinquished his duties and responsibilities as the Commander of NAVSOG to Commander Dwight Steven M Dulnoan. The Change of Command Ceremony was presided by the Commander Philippine Fleet Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo J Bacordo on July 04, 2019.
Cmdr. Dulnoan is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "MAALAB" Class of 1993 and was previously the Deputy of the Joint and Combined Training Center of AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command, GHQ-AFPWSSU, AFP.
The Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG), now called Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM), 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.
This special 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 several 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.
The Filipino counterpart of the U.S. counterterrorist United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group, abbreviated as DEVGRU (DEVelopment GRoUp) and commonly known as SEAL Team Six, is the Philippine Naval Special Reaction Group (SRG), which operates under the direction of Naval Intelligence.
The NAVSOG training program is known as Basic Naval Special Operations Course (BNSOC). The program is physically and mentally demanding and is regarded as one of the toughest military selection programs in the entire Philippine military. Candidates have to swim two miles and run 10 kilometers every day. Furthermore, they must swim 27 kilometers from Roxas Boulevard in Manila to the naval base in Sangley Point without any rest. They also undergo "Hell Week," which is the most demanding week of NAVSOG training. Candidates have to carry out demanding physical team events with their boat crews with as little as a couple of hours of sleep for the entire week.
Congratulations Commander Dwight Dulnuan!
