| First Scout Ranger Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Pin Badge of the Scout Rangers |
|
| Active | November 25, 1950 - Present |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Branch | Philippine Army |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Airborne operations, Direct Action, Reconnaissance, Unconventional Warfare |
| Size | 4 Battalions, 20 Companies. Total is 5000 soldiers |
| Part of | Philippine Army Special Operations Command (PASOC) |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Andres Bonifacio, Makati Camp Tecson, San Miguel, Bulacan (Main) |
| Nickname | Musangs, FSSR, Strikers, Rangers, SR, Scout Ranger |
| Motto | We Strike |
| Mascot | Panther |
| Battles/wars | Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines Anti-guerilla operations against the NPA and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front |
| Decorations | Presidential Streamer Award |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Colonel Reynaldu Mapagu |
| Notable commanders |
LGen. Rafael Ileto, Gen. Felix Brawner II, Brig. Gen. Marcelo Blando, Brig. Gen. Julius Javier, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim |
| Insignia | |
| Scout Ranger Patch | Scout Ranger Patch or Pin |
The Scout Rangers, known officially as the First Scout Ranger Regiment, is the Philippine Army's primary Special Forces unit, and specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare. The regiment has been boasted as one of the world's best anti-guerilla fighters in Asia.[1]
Contents |
History
Early Establishment
The Scout Ranger Regiment was born on November 25 1950 under the command of former AFP Vice Chief of Staff and Defense Secretary Rafael "Rocky" Ileto [2]. Named after both the Alamo Scouts and the US Army Rangers, the unit was created due to a growing need to counter the Hukbalahap guerrillas with a force trained in small unit actions. [2]
Coup attempts
Scout Ranger combat units are deployed nationwide, usually for combat operations. For security reasons, areas of deployment are classified information and cannot be released. Scout Rangers participated in the December 1989 coup attempt against the Aquino administration. Led by Cpt. Danilo Lim, Maj Abraham Purugganan and Lt. Col. Rafael Galvez, some 500 Rangers took over Makati in the most destructive coup attempt against the Aquino administration, which left hundreds of civilians and soldiers dead, and hundreds more injured. They also figured in the July 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, with four Scout Rangers – Capt. Albert T. Baloloy, Capt. Gerardo Orpilla Gambala, Capt. Milo Discutido Maestrecampo, and Capt. Laurence Louis Bumatay Somera – tagged as plotters from a group of renegade 26 Scout Rangers[3]. 1st Lt. Lawrence San Juan, one of the four escaped Magdalo soldiers who was recently arrested, is also a Scout Ranger.[4]
Recent activity
With the rise of guerrilla and terrorist activities in the Philippines, the Scout Rangers have teamed up with the Light Reaction Battalion to take on more responsibility in internal security duties.[5]
Units
The following are the units that are under the Scout Rangers. However, no 13th company officially exists.
- 1st Scout Ranger Regiment
- Scout Ranger Training Center (Scout Ranger School)
- 1st Scout Ranger Bn
- 2nd Scout Ranger Bn
- 3rd Scout Ranger Bn
- 4th Scout Ranger Bn
- 1st Scout Ranger Coy "We Dare"
- 2nd Scout Ranger Coy "Venceramos"
- 3rd Scout Ranger Coy "Terminator"
- 4th Scout Ranger Coy "Final Option"
- 5th Scout Ranger Coy "Salaknib"
- 6th Scout Ranger Coy "The Cutting Edge"
- 7th Scout Ranger Coy "In Hoc Signo Vinces"
- 8th Scout Ranger Coy "Destreure Hostis Deus"
- 9th Scout Ranger Coy "Angat sa Iba!"
- 10th Scout Ranger Coy "We Lead" (Ultimo Fortis)
- 11th Scout Ranger Coy "Pericoloso"
- 12th Scout Ranger Coy "Always Ready"
- 14th Scout Ranger Coy "Mabalasik"
- 15th Scout Ranger Coy "Mandirigma"
- 16th Scout Ranger Coy "Mabangis"
- 17th Scout Ranger Coy "Mabagsik"
- 18th Scout Ranger Coy "Makamandag"
- 19th Scout Ranger Coy "Dimalupig"
- 20th Scout Ranger Coy "Hellcat"
Operations
- Anti-guerrilla operations against Huk guerrillas.
- EDSA Revolution of 1986 on anti-Marcos operations
- 1989 Coup d'etat led by ex-Col. Gregorio Honasan
- Anti-guerrilla operations against the New People's Army and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). After a treaty was concluded between Philippine and MNLF officials, the Scout Rangers fought against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
- Anti-terrorist operations against the Abu Sayyaf.
- Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines.
References
- ^ SPECIAL UNITS. Retrieved on November 1, 2007.
- ^ a b Strike Musang's Home Page.. Retrieved on November 1, 2007.
- ^ Military court ruling on 26 ‘coup plotters’ scored. Retrieved on November 1, 2007.
- ^ Rebel 'powerhouse' falls. Retrieved on November 1, 2007.
- ^ Light Reaction Company. Retrieved on November 1, 2007.
- Eclarin, Dennis V. Scout Ranger Combat Guide. Hometown Publishing House. Manila: The Philippine Star, 2003.
