Republic of the Philippines

Department of the Interior and Local Government

National Police Commission
PNP SPECIAL ACTION FORCE
SAF TRAINING BRANCH
Fort Sto Domingo, City of Sta Rosa, Laguna

SAFCC CL________________ Date: ____________________

STUDENT HANDOUTS

TEAM FIREFIGHT SOPs

I. INTRODUCTION:
There are many instances when troops unintentionally or unexpectedly meet the
enemy or unarmed civilians who could compromise a mission. In such cases, there will
be no time for planning and issuance of orders. The unit takes swift actions according to
well-rehearsed immediate action drills (IAD). IADs involving engagement with the
enemy are commonly known to the Commando as Firefight SOPs.
These SOPs are designed to provide swift and positive reactions to visual or
physical contact with enemy/unarmed civilians which might compromise the mission.
They are single courses of action which require minimum signal or command to initiate
and may be initiated by any member of the patrol. These SOPs are applicable to
conventional and unconventional warfare and may be defensive or offensive in nature.

II. TRAINING INVOLVED:

For a team to become efficient in these SOPs, each individual should be skilled
and well-versed on the following:

A. Combat Training for Individual:

1. Marksmanship
2. Recognition and use of Cover and Concealment.
3. Use of Cover and Concealment while observing and firing
4. Crawling towards the enemy.
5. Fire and Maneuver, rushes and individual movement techniques.
B. Combat Formations
1. Team File
2. Team Skirmishers (left/right)
3. Team Column
4. Wedge
C. SOPs on Maneuver
1. Maneuver to right/left
2. Skirmishers left/right.
1. Fire and Movement
4. Principles of Support during movement
a. Base of Fire
b. Moving/Maneuvering

III. SOP ON SEARCH AFTER THE FIREFIGHT

Situation I (Bodies on the ground)
After ceasefire is given, the team observes and team members automatically
insert a fresh magazine, then the command "“ASSAULT" is given. The LS, Team,
Navigator, Radioman and Team Leader rush towards the objective ensuring that the
objective area is cleared and all possible threats are neutralized before further
advancing towards the Limit of Advance (LOA). At the LOA, the assaulting elements
automatically change magazines to ensure that they have enough ammunition if ever
there are still enemies alive in the area. Once the TL has determined that the area is
safe for searching, he then commands “SEARCH”. The Navigator and the Lead Scout
deploy for front security while the TL, RM and the CM will search the area. During the
search, the searching party will see to it that the area of encounter is properly searched
including the bodies of the killed enemies.
Once the search has been completed, the team withdraws to its pre-designated
rallying point upon the command of the team leader of PRP. During its withdrawal
towards the PRP, the security elements farthest are the first to withdraw while the
members nearest the PRP cover the withdrawal of the other elements before
withdrawing.

Situation 2 (Search of a hut after firefight)

If there has been armed resistance from a hut, the team makes sure that the hut
is neutralized before conducting search. Call out a warning and if in doubt, deliver a
volume of fire. This is done repeatedly while closing-in until the hut can be cleared using
grenades if possible. Then proceed as in situation 1.

Situation 3 (Search of a hut without firefight)

When there is no firefight, the warning is given to occupants of a suspected
enemy occupied hut. If there is no answer or resistance, the assault elements cautiously
and stealthily approach the hut while the LS and the TS secures the rear. After further
observation, the TL commands “SEARCH” whereupon, the LS and the N deploy for
front security, the CM and RM tactically enter and clear the hut as the TL supervises the
rest of the team.
In case somebody responds, the TL orders that occupant to come out and walk
towards the team’s position for inspection and questioning. The team must ensure that
all other occupants (if there are still any) are called out before conducting search.

IV. SOP ON FIRE DISTRIBUTION AND CONTROL

1. Fire Distribution
a. Whenever possible, the enemy is always numbered consecutively from
lead to tail (for linear targets). Otherwise, each man covers his sector
of fire in case enemy strength could not be determined.
b. Each man picks his own target/s within his sector of fire and shifts fire
when there are no targets within his sector or it has been eliminated.
Sectors of fire should be interlocking to achieve maximum coverage
and provide for any eventualities such as suffering casualties within the
team.
c. The TL in most cases is given the luxury of shooting the most
dangerously armed enemy and /or the most ranking enemy if the same
could be identified.

2. Control
a. The team engages the enemy no farther than 25 meters unless forced
to fire by any circumstance.
b. Unless otherwise prearranged or during unavoidable situation, TL
always initiates fire.

V. SOP ON SPECIAL SITUATIONS: (Firefight SOPs)

1. Meeting Engagement – This is a situation wherein you chance upon the
enemy and see each other at the same time. The first one to see the enemy
immediately opens fire and shouts direction of contact. The team
automatically adopts skirmisher formation towards the direction of contact.
The TL then decides whether to engage or withdraw.
a. To engage – The team executes fire and maneuver to out-position the
enemy utilizing speed and violence of action. The TL determines if the
team will assault or search as the situation dictates.
b. To withdraw – The team disengages by bounds from skirmishers
position to ensure an orderly withdrawal combined with supporting
fires.
2. Hasty Raid – A situation wherein a patrol chances upon an enemy position
offering a target of opportunity. After a quick assessment, the TL decides whether to
engage or by pass. If the team leader decides to engage, the team moves stealthily to
move-in with the enemy. The team must achieve the elements of surprise and violence
in order to have a successful raid. If the TL decides to by-pass, the team will follow the
basic SOP on by-pass.
3. Hasty Ambush – A situation whereby a patrol chances upon a moving
enemy, seeing them without being detected themselves. The team will automatically
detract and occupy a vantage position and conducts an ambush on the moving enemy
unit. The TL assesses whether to engage or not.
4. Compromise – This situation occurs when the patrol chances upon
civilians or unarmed individuals such that evasion to avoid disclosure is no longer
possible. The team apprehends/invites such individuals/s for questioning and elicitation.
Body search is always conducted and if there are two or more apprehended, keep them
separated from each other. During interrogation, the CM does the questioning with the
TL and RM assisting him while the rest secures the area, at the same time searches the
immediate vicinity. Ensure that the higher headquarters is advised of the situation.
In a runaway situation, the LS and the N give chase while the rest
of the team follows closely. The TL, RM, CM and ATL provide support and the S and TS
provide rear security. In case the pursuit is unsuccessful or inadvisable, the team takes
a different route towards the general direction of the runaway.

VI. SOP ON COUNTER-AMBUSH:

Situation 1 (Far Ambush)

When the patrol is ambushed and there is no way to effectively close-in with the
enemy, everyone drops and returns fire to extricate those caught in the killing zone,
then withdraws to the PRP or withdraws by bounds (bounding over watch) . When
withdrawing by bounds, the team executes this using the buddy elements of the team –
while the first buddy elements is moving, the over watching elements provide base of
fire.
Situation 2 (Near Ambush)
When the patrol is ambushed and maneuvers is possible, survivors of the initial
burst of fire return fire while dropping, and use fire and maneuver techniques to
extricate from the killing zone. Once the team is out of the kill-zone and it remains intact,
counter-ambush is conducted using fire and maneuver.

Situation 3 (Point Blank Range)

If the patrol is ambushed so close that maneuver or withdrawal will result to the
complete annihilation/destruction of the team, stand fast and engage the enemy. If on a
very vulnerable or disadvantageous position, the team leader will automatically
command “ASSAULT”. Use all available grenades.

Situation 4 (Vehicular Ambush)

The vehicle mounted by troops is ambushed and there is a way to evade kill
zone and maneuver is possible.

Actions: (Before)
1. Dismount if doubtful about the terrain.
2. Clear possible ambush site.
3. Strictly observed OPSEC.

Actions: (After)
1. If driver is alive, let vehicle continue moving out of kill-zone.
2. Return fire to distract enemy while the other side will unload to conduct
maneuver.
3. The rest of the team will follow then apply fire and maneuver techniques.