Former president lauds Filipino special forces

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MANILA, Philippines, July 5 (UPI) -- Former President Fidel V. Ramos has lauded the country's special forces' role in battling terrorism.

Ramos was the Filipino special forces' first commander when the elite unit was established in 1962. Last week Ramos was the guest of honor and speaker during the 50th founding anniversary of the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Ramos, a retired four-star general and former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and defense secretary before being elected as the 12th president of the Philippines in 1992, said "membership in the Special Forces is the key experience of my formative years as a soldier," Zamboanga Today reported Wednesday.

Ramos told his audience: "Like every old soldier, I take pride in having accumulated so much experience and seen so many amazing sights. I have known enough of the climate of war, its danger, exertion, uncertainty, and chance. And I tell you - solemnly - that it is my claim of comradeship with you of the Philippine Special Forces of which I am most proud."

Besides battling indigenous insurgents and terrorists, Ramos noted the Filipino army's special forces have served abroad in South Vietnam, Iraq and East Timor "with honor and professionalism."