Special day with the Special Actions Forces.

So came the day that I know that Natalie and I had bern looking forward to which was visiting the Special Action Forces at Camp Bogong Diwa. The rest of the team had obviously decided that it sounded good so they tagged along as well and after a long drive down EDSA and the the North Luzon expressway we reached th camp. This is a huge training and base for SAF and upon entry we were met with smart salutes. The SAF is the paramilitary arm of the police and was formed in 1982 It started out as a single brigade of 400 and played a key role in the people's revolution. It now has 9 brigades and is set to grow to 11 and employs around 4400 commandos. It is a Police run section but has capacity and technique the same as the SAS and Marine commandos.

After meeting the senior team and a challenging Q and A session where the mike was turned to me at the start as I am a cop! Thanks to the team for rallying around!

A quick weapons inspection of the 50 cal, m4 and sniper rifles got me excited at the prospect of maybe trying them. Worryingly I seem to know an awful lot about the weapons already and phrases such as full metal jacket were banded about as I explained how a 50 cal round worked to our host RC. Too many war movies I guess but the armoured seemed impressed!

Next was to the K-9 unit where I fell in love with the brown labs that they had and was most impressed by the care and training they had received. I then hid some explosives which Richard immediately found for his handler and the happy wagging tail made me think of my dog Cory at home.

A quick walk and it was time to inspect the troops. Two platoons had assembled in full gear and we were given an parade inspection of their roles and skills. I felt sorry for them in the heat but they were all consummate pros and were very proud that they had earned thee black berets. Some pictures with the troops, in a APV and I wandered off with the commandant to inspect their SAR kit that they use during the rainy season floods. A tightly well trained team was the impression I wa left with and their MOE (method of entry) kit and training is similar to our own.

Then came the eagerly anticipated moment. It was onto the firing range and the chance to shoot. Again as I have now become accustomed to it was an entirely informal affair with no health and safely briefings and just a lovely selection of M4 assault rifles, UMB suppressed assault weapons and some 9mm glock pistols. Lots as lots of loaded mags were piles up and I was surprised that my fellow team were all starting to look a bit anxious so I took the lead and went first. Being handed an m4 assault rifle the only instruction I had was to don ear defenders and then it was a full clip on single shot and semi auto. I did well and find it far easier than I expected. It was over quick and I found that my huge grin was plastered on my face. My team mates the went and ill let them tell their own stories but I went and had a second go with the M4 (which is a shortens version of an m16) and a go with the UMB and this time on full auto! I loved it and the comment of nice grouping and a high five from the instructor told me I had done well! The smiles from my fellow team mates and hosts all with hands over their ears also made me feel happy. The report from an M4 in full auto is felt as much as it is heard! Maybe a career as an AFO does beckon after all.

A drive out with the hosts into the country east of QC found us at their organic farm and a late lunch was had which was all organic and I tried to convince Amy that watermelons grow on trees and are a falling hazard when ripe and telling Natalie that spaghetti grows on trees. Richard managed to pack away a full lunch and then followed it with some red bark tea which is very good for his uterus!

After Richard had a full discussion with the cooperative about Fair trade which just shows that we are always working, the girls being dosed up with Lorenzos oil to sooth their sore throats (yes they jave a cold even in 40c heat). I had a swing in the hammock and took some wacky pictures of Richard and Nat with a tortoise and it was time to go.

After a long drive and a siesta it was a visit to the Eastwoods Police department and after asking lots and lots of questions that really drove home the huge gulf between UK and Ph due process which was invaluable it was time to move on. We were running late and had only an hour to scrutinise a police station full of street cops but with Nat and I firing out questions and Amy taking pictures of everything (nothing off limits which was incredible but I think they were a bit star struck by our delegation) it was time to move on and be rescued by my adoptive new host Marby!

Great end to a great day that at the start had me feeling a bit lost. Good times and Corrigedor Island beckons tomo with a 530am start.