Abbreviation AVSEGROUP | Formed 1976 | |
Common name Aviation Security Group Preceding agency PAF Aviation Security Command 1976 - 1991 Legal personality Governmental: Government agency General nature Law enforcement
Civilian agency | ||
The Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP) are responsible in securing all the country’s airports against offensive and terroristic acts that threaten civil aviation, in exercising operational control and supervision over all agencies involved in airport security operations,and enforce all laws and regulations relative to air travel protection and safety to all domestic and international airports in the Philippines. (Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990 (RA 6975) Section 35.b.7) Aviation Security Unit. – Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Aviation Security Unit, in coordination with airport authorities, shall secure all the country's airports against offensive and terroristic acts that threaten civil aviation, exercise operational control and supervision over all agencies involved in airport security operation, and enforce all laws and regulations relative to air travel protection and safety.
History
Their duties were performed by the Philippine Air Force Aviation Security Command (Avsecom) in the past. AVSECOM has ceased to exist, their responsibility has been turned over to PASCOM. PASCOM are well equipped, trained and function in different aircraft counter-hijacking methods.
Special Unit Under PNP-AVSEGROUP The Special Operations Unit (SOU)
The Special Operations Squadrons was organized in 1976 following the Zamboanga PAL hijacking incident. During 1980’s it was renamed Quick Reaction Force and later on Special Operations Group of 805th PAF. In 1991 upon creation of Philippine National Police Aviation Security Command, this elite Unit became officially known as Special Operations Unit.
By virtue of Letter of Instructions number 399 the National Action Committee on Anti-Hijacking (NACAH) was organized in April 1976. This was reconstituted and renamed in May 1995 through Executive Order No. 246 as the National Action Committee on Hijacking and Anti-Terrorism (NACAHT) to allow the Government to effectively address the threat of terrorism to the peace and order in general and the security of the civil aviation industry in particular. Five years later NACAHT was reorganized into the National Council for Civil Aviation Security (NCCAS) through Executive Order No. 336.
MISSION To conduct armed intervention during hijacking incidents; exercise counter-terrorist operations against any unlawful interference to civil aviation; counter insurgency; bomb & IED disposal; search and rescue and any airport crisis response. In carrying out our stated mission, the following are our main functions:
- Conduct special operations involving aircraft assault and other related activities;
- Conduct passive and active training on anti-hijacking operations/techniques.
- Conduct first responder actions on bomb, IED and any chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and hazardous/ dangerous materials/goods and any similar or related incidents;
- Conduct post- blast investigation, if required or requested;
- Conduct overt and covert intelligence operations whenever required or requested; and
- Perform other tasks or functions as directed by higher authorities.