1st Scout Ranger Regiment
The Scout Rangers, known officially as the First Scout Ranger Regiment, is a Philippine Army unit specializing in anti-guerrilla jungle warfare, raids, ambushes, close quarters combat, urban warfare and sabotage.
First Scout Ranger Regiment | |
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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 Unconventional Warfare Counter-terrorism Hostage rescue |
Size | 5 Battalions |
Part of | Under the Philippine Army |
Garrison/HQ | Fort Andres Bonifacio, Metro Manila 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) | Civet / Black panther |
Anniversaries | November 25 |
Engagements | |
Decorations | Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge Presidential Streamer Award |
Commanders | |
Current commander | BGen. Freddie T. Dela Cruz (MNSA) |
Notable commanders |
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History
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.[1] The unit was modelled after two legendary fighting groups, the intelligence gathering American Alamo Scouts and the combat ready US Army Rangers, the unit was created due to a growing need to counter the Hukbalahap guerrillas and its rebellion with a force trained in small unit actions.[1] The Scout Rangers participated in the December 1989 coup attempt against the administration of Corazon Aquino.[2] 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,[2][3] 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. 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.[4][5]
Their headquarters is based at Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan.
Units
The following are subordinate battalions and companies of the First Scout Rangers.
Battalions
- 1st Scout Ranger Battalion
- 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion
- 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion
- 4th Scout Ranger Battalion
- 5th Scout Ranger Battalion
Companies
- 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")
Commanders
- LtGen Rafael Ileto AFP
- BGen Danilo D Lim AFP
- LtGen Noel Coballes AFP
See also
References
Citations
- Strike Musang's Home Page. at WebCite (archived 2009-10-23). Retrieved on November 1, 2007. Archived 2009-10-22.
- One Brave Man. Retrieved on November 4, 2008.
- MUTINY BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF 1989 SIEGE. Retrieved on November 4, 2008.
- "Army commander shares how they killed Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute". cdodev.com. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
- http://www.cdodev.com/2017/10/17/army-commander-shares-how-they-killed-isnilon-hapilon-and-omar-maute/
Bibliography
- Dennis V. Eclarin, Scout Ranger Combat Guide (Third Edition), 2003, The Philippine Star.
- Special Operations Forces Online Database
- History Channel Special Forces: Philippine Scout Ranger Episode
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