#182: Special Operations In The Pacific - Philippine's Joint Special Operations Command Commander Brigadier General Eliglen Villaflor

Dec 5, 2025

Brigadier General Eliglen Villaflor, the Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command of the Philippine Armed Forces, shares compelling insights on international military collaboration. He discusses the evolution of Special Operations in the Philippines and the shift from counterterrorism to maritime defense. Villaflor emphasizes the critical role of partnerships, especially with the U.S., in building interoperability. He highlights China's growing influence as a major threat, and shares his personal journey into the military amidst a unique Filipino cultural context.

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INSIGHT

Unified Joint SOF Employer

JSOC centralizes command to employ SOF across Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines under one employer.
Brigadier General Eliglen Villaflor explains JSOC receives missions from the President and Chief of Staff to execute strategic, high-value tasks.

ANECDOTE

From Battalion Combat To Joint Command

Villaflor draws on his Army Special Forces background and past battalion command fighting Abu Sayyaf and ISIS-affiliated groups.
He describes adapting to joint command while acknowledging initial resistance from major service leaders holding on to their SOF units.

ADVICE

Keep CT Skills While Expanding Roles

Do retain counterterrorism core competencies while expanding into maritime domain awareness and territorial defense.
Seek partner coaching and increase bilateral and multilateral exercises to build interoperability for larger-scale operations.

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America is not the only nation in a fight for freedom, stability, and security. International threats are complex, the missions are critical, and the operators leading them must think globally while acting locally.

The Philippines is one of America’s longest strategic allies. From their geographical importance of World War II, to their front lines combating Chinese expansion in the Pacific, the military partnership between the United States and the Philippines is an important part of global stability.

At the heart of this collaboration, is the Joint Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. A force that has been shaped by decades of counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and close partnership with America's Green Berets and Special Operations Forces.

From the Global Special Operations Foundation Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with the Commander of Joint Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Brigadier General Eliglen Villaflor, to discuss the evolution of Special Operations in the Philippines, the lessons learned from years of conflict, and the country’s expanding role in regional and international security cooperation.

General Villaflor shared his perspective on leading through complexity, building true interoperability with partners like the United States, and preparing the next generation of Filipino Special Operators to face an ever-changing threat environment.

This episode is about partnership, professionalism, and the shared mission that connects Special Operations Forces around the world to defend freedom wherever it’s challenged.

Highlights

0:00 Introduction
1:45 Welcome to GSOF Europe 2025
3:30 Mission of Philippines Joint Special Operations Command
5:28 JSOC Commander Challenges
8:21 Large Scale Combat Operations in the Philippines
11:48 Building relationships in SOF
15:54 Philippine Armed Forces Culture
18:22 Interoperability in the Philippines
19:33 Philippines’ biggest threat
23:31 Future of JSOC Philippines

Quotes

“We’re a family.”
“The Joint Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was formally activated just last May.”
“I am the force employer.”
“The challenges will outweigh the positive impact of having JSOC.”
“The engagement with the U.S. counterpart has been more aggressive than before.”
“Our core mission is to work with other nations to achieve the combined goals of our nations.”
“I’m very glad I was given the opportunity to train with foreign counterparts, especially the U.S.”
“SOF are not only building trust, we are building family. We are family and we take care of each other.”
“People mostly join the Armed Forces because of low economic status.”
“I want to avail of the free education.”
“We are always leader centered.”
“We are now inculcating in our culture the word interoperability.”
"Aggressive, illegal, dangerous, and coercive action of China is very visible in our country.”
“It’s still all about the mindset, attitude, and discipline.”

Special thanks to the Global Special Operations Foundation for hosting us in Athens.

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