Special Reaction Unit
The Special Reaction Unit is a part of the Presidential Security Command, which serves as its main counter-terrorist unit among the other nine organic units.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613055734/http://www.coa.gov.ph/2007_AAR/NGAs/ES/PSG_ES07.pdf|url=http://www.coa.gov.ph/2007_AAR/NGAs/ES/PSG_ES07.pdf|title=Executive Summary|accessdate=2013-06-13|publisher=Commission on Audit|url-status=dead|archivedate=2013-06-13}} It's not to be confused with the Special Reaction Unit of the Philippine National Police's Maritime Group, since they share the same name.{{cite web|url=http://mg.pnp.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40&Itemid=41|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130613054226/http://mg.pnp.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40&Itemid=41|title=HEADQUARTERS SPECIAL REACTION UNIT|accessdate=2013-06-13|archivedate=2013-06-13|publisher=Philippine National Police}}
From time to time, the SRU has been called in to assist other Philippine law enforcement/military units in internal security activities and duties when their presence is needed.{{cite web|url=http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/national/50411-pnp-afp-personnel-secure-comelecs-canvassing-center|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130613055635/http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/national/50411-pnp-afp-personnel-secure-comelecs-canvassing-center|title=PNP, AFP personnel secure Comelec's canvassing center|publisher=Journal Online|accessdate=2013-06-13|archivedate=2013-06-13|date=2013-05-15}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bomboradyo.com/news/top-stories/itemlist/date/2013/5/14?start=40|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130613061749/http://www.bomboradyo.com/news/top-stories/itemlist/date/2013/5/14?start=40|title='Dagdag na 279 security detail pinadala ng PNP at AFP sa PICC'|date=2013-05-14|accessdate=2013-06-13|archivedate=2013-06-13|publisher=Bombo Radyo Philippines|language=Tagalog}}
History
File:Presidential Security Group Special Reaction Unit operators.jpg
The Special Reaction Unit was organized in 1988 with the officers and enlisted personnel from Presidential Security Group's Echo Company, Presidential Guards and 14th SR Company, First Scout Ranger Regiment, Philippine Army. Then Captain Jessie Dellosa was its first commanding officer. Captain Dellosa became Chief of Staff AFP during the term of President Benigno S Aquino III. {{Cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/01/18/898300/noy-military-protect-peoples-right-choose-leaders|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130613055242/http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/01/18/898300/noy-military-protect-peoples-right-choose-leaders|title=Noy to military: Protect people's right to choose leaders|publisher=Philippine Star|accessdate=2013-06-13|archivedate=2013-06-13|date=2013-01-13|author=Aurea Calica}} Captain Alan Purisima of the defunct Philippine Constabulary was its first executive officer. Purisima rose to the rank of Director General, PNP, {{Cite web|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130613060919/http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2012/11/16/867304/napolcom-oks-promotion-purisima-star-rank|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2012/11/16/867304/napolcom-oks-promotion-purisima-star-rank|title=Napolcom OKs promotion of Purisima to star rank|publisher=Philippine Star|accessdate=2013-06-13|archivedate=2013-06-13|date=2012-11-16}} The SRU had been used to defend the Philippine government, which has been done during the anti-President Cory Aquino coup attempt.{{cite web|url=http://archive.malaya.com.ph/2011/December/dec13/news6.html|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130613054513/http://archive.malaya.com.ph/2011/December/dec13/news6.html|title=In 1986, a close-in aide; In 2011, an AFP chief of staff|author=Victor Reyes|publisher=Malaya|accessdate=2013-06-13|archivedate=2013-06-13}}
There was a previous plan to arm SRU operators with United Defense Manufacturing Corporation-made M4 assault rifles, but the plan fell through because the SRU was armed with foreign-made assault rifles.{{cite web|url=http://ph.news.yahoo.com/blogs/the-inbox/ph-defense-companies-fight-buy-filipino-055958230.html|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130613061232/http://ph.news.yahoo.com/blogs/the-inbox/ph-defense-companies-fight-buy-filipino-055958230.html|title=PH defense companies fight for "buy Filipino"|date=2013-05-26|accessdate=2013-06-13|archivedate=2013-06-13|publisher=Yahoo Philippines c/o VERA Files|author=Norman Sison}} The SRU has conducted CQB training in 2010 despite the presence of Typhoon Juan.{{cite web|url=http://psg.mil.ph/2010/11/sru-conducts-3-day-cqb-training-despite-typhoon/|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130613060203/http://psg.mil.ph/2010/11/sru-conducts-3-day-cqb-training-despite-typhoon/|title=SRU conducts 3-Day CQB Training despite typhoon|publisher=Presidential Security Group|accessdate=2013-06-13|archivedate=2013-06-13}}