The Scout Rangers, known officially as the First Scout Ranger Regiment,[1] is a Philippine Army unit specializing in anti-guerrilla jungle warfare, raids, ambushes, close quarters combat, urban warfare and sabotage.
| First Scout Ranger Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Pin Badge of the Scout Rangers | |
| Active | November 25, 1950 – present |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Branch | Philippine Army |
| Type |  Special Forces |
| Role | Anti-guerrilla jungle warfare Raiding operations Counter-terrorism Hostage rescue |
| Size | 5 Battalions |
| Part of | Special Operations Command (Philippines) and the Philippine Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Camp Tecson, San Miguel, Bulacan (Main) |
| Nickname(s) | Musangs, FSRR, Strikers, Rangers, SR, Scout Ranger |
| Motto(s) | We Strike |
| Colors | Red |
| March | Scout Ranger |
| Mascot(s) | Black panther[citation needed] |
| Anniversaries | November 25 |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations | _Streamer.png){kind=small} Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge Presidential Streamer Award |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Col. Isagani O. Criste PA |
| Notable commanders |
|
Their headquarters is based at Camp Pablo Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan.[2][3]
The regiment is also known as Musangs (in English, Scout Rangers)[1][4]
History edit
The First Scout Ranger Regiment was formed on November 25, 1950, under the command of former AFP Vice Chief of Staff and Defense Secretary Rafael M. Ileto[5] The unit was modelled after the Alamo Scouts and the US Army Rangers.[6] The FSSR was created due to a growing need to counter the Hukbalahap guerrillas with a force trained in small unit actions.[7] Initially known as the Scout Ranger Training Unit (SRTU), they were made up of 5 man teams, made up of one officer and 4 enlisted men.[8] SRTU teams used deep penetration tactics to infiltrate Huk-held territory and take out their units.[8] In 1954, the Army decided to combine all active SRTU units into the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment.[8]
During the Cold War, the FSRR provided training for prospective commandos of the Royal Laotian Army.[6]
The Scout Rangers participated in the December 1989 coup attempt against the administration of Corazon Aquino.[9] Led by then Captain Danilo Lim, Major Abraham Purugganan and Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Galvez, some 2500 Rangers took over Makati in the most destructive coup attempt against the Aquino administration[10] which left hundreds of civilians and soldiers dead, and hundreds more injured.
The Scout Rangers played a major role in capturing the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebel camp during the 2000 all-out war against the MILF.[11]
During the Battle of Marawi of 2017, Scout Rangers were the first elite units deployed with the 1st Infantry Division to neutralize the Islamic State-inspired groups the Maute and Abu Sayyaf and their leaders Isnilon Hapilon and the Maute brothers. During the battle, the Rangers incurred many casualties including a veteran Captain of the battle of Zamboanga city. A Scout Ranger is credited with killing Hapilon during the final stages of battle.[12]
President Duterte was awarded the SR badge in 2017.[13]
Organization edit
Units edit
The following are subordinate battalions and companies of the First Scout Rangers.[citation needed]
Battalions edit
- 1st Scout Ranger Battalion
- 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion
- 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion
- 4th Scout Ranger Battalion
- 5th Scout Ranger Battalion
Companies edit
- 1st Scout Ranger Company "Reconnaissance"
- 2nd Scout Ranger Company "Venceremos" (Sp., "We will win")
- 3rd Scout Ranger Company "Terminator"
- 4th Scout Ranger Company "Final Option"
- 5th Scout Ranger Company "Salaknib" (Iloko, "Shield")
- 6th Scout Ranger Company "The Cutting Edge"
- 7th Scout Ranger Company "In Hoc Signo Vinces" (L., "Under this sign thou shalt conquer")
- 8th Scout Ranger Company "Destruere Hostis Deus" (L., "Destroy the enemy of God")
- 9th Scout Ranger Company "Angát sa Ibá!" (Tag., "Above all others!")
- 10th Scout Ranger Company "We Lead" (Ultimus Fortis)
- 11th Scout Ranger Company "Pericoloso" (It., "Dangerous")
- 12th Scout Ranger Company "Always Ready"
- 13th Scout Ranger Company "Warrior"
- 14th Scout Ranger Company "Mabalasik" (Tag., "Fierce")
- 15th Scout Ranger Company "Mandirigmâ" (Tag., "Fighters" or "Warriors")
- 16th Scout Ranger Company "Mabangís" (Tag., "Vicious")
- 17th Scout Ranger Company "Mapanganib" (Tag., "Dangerous")
- 18th Scout Ranger Company "Makamandág" (Tag., "Venomous")
- 19th Scout Ranger Company "Dimalupig" (Tag., "Unbeatable")
- 20th Scout Ranger Company "Hellcat"
- 21st Scout Ranger Company "Mapangahas" (Tag., "Fearless")
- 22nd Scout Ranger Company "Cul Peri Duro" (Tag., "Strike Hard")
Training edit
Scout Ranger training has made the distinction that a graduating class must undergo an actual combat mission.[14]
In November 2021, the Scout Rangers have conducted joint training with Kopassus operators.[15]
References edit
- ^ a b Cabunoc, Maj Harold. "Scout Rangers: The legend continues". Philstar.com. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ "Philippines to scrap future war games with U.S." September 29, 2016.
- ^ "DND sets aside P83M for rangers' project". The Manila Times. October 20, 2020.
- ^ https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192965
- ^ Conboy (1991), pp. 27–28.
- ^ a b Conboy (1991), p. 28.
- ^ "A salute to the brave". The Philippine STAR.
- ^ a b c "1st Scout Ranger Regiment".
- ^ "The Final Report of the Fact-Finding Commission: V: The Failed December 1989 Coup: Pre-Coup Events and Battle Zone Narratives | Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines". web.archive.org. October 11, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ "MUTINY BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF 1989 SIEGE". web.archive.org. March 24, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ "Revisiting Camp Abubakar, ten years later". July 9, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ "Army commander shares how they killed Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute". cdodev.com. October 17, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- ^ President Duterte receives Honorary Scout Ranger Badge from First Scout Ranger Regiment ops.gov.ph 24 November 2017Archived 10 December 2022 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Go, Miriam Grace (May 25, 2018). "Marawi's silent heroes: Scout Rangers remember their days on the battlefield". RAPPLER. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ "Scout Rangers, Indonesia Special Forces conclude 2-week training". Philippine News Agency.
Bibliography edit
- Dennis V. Eclarin, Scout Ranger Combat Guide (Third Edition), 2003, The Philippine Star.
- Conboy, Kenneth (1991). South-East Asian Special Forces. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1855321069.
