1st Scout Ranger Regiment explained

Unit Name:First Scout Ranger Regiment
Dates: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
Command Structure:Special Operations Command (Philippines) and the Philippine Army
Current Commander:Col. Isagani O. Criste PA
Garrison:Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Camp Tecson, San Miguel, Bulacan (Main)
Nickname:Musangs, FSRR, Strikers, Rangers, SR, Scout Ranger
Motto:We Strike
Colors:Red
March:Scout Ranger
Mascot:Black panther
Anniversaries:November 25
Decorations:
Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge
Presidential Streamer Award
Identification Symbol Label:Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Identification Symbol 2 Label:Scout Ranger Qualification Badge
Identification Symbol 3 Label:Officer Beret Flash
Identification Symbol 4 Label:Enlisted Beret Flash

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.

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

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 The unit was modelled after the Alamo Scouts and the US Army Rangers. The FSSR was created due to a growing need to counter the Hukbalahap guerrillas with a force trained in small unit actions.[5] 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.[6] SRTU teams used deep penetration tactics to infiltrate Huk-held territory and take out their units.[6] In 1954, the Army decided to combine all active SRTU units into the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment.[6]

During the Cold War, the FSRR provided training for prospective commandos of the Royal Laotian Army.

The Scout Rangers participated in the December 1989 coup attempt against the administration of Corazon Aquino.[7] 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[8] 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.[9]

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.[10]

President Duterte was awarded the SR badge in 2017.[11]

Organization

Units

The following are subordinate battalions and companies of the First Scout Rangers.

Battalions

Companies

Training

Scout Ranger training has made the distinction that a graduating class must undergo an actual combat mission.[12]

In November 2021, the Scout Rangers have conducted joint training with Kopassus operators.[13]

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Scout Rangers: The legend continues. Maj Harold. Cabunoc. Philstar.com. April 15, 2023.
  2. Web site: Philippines to scrap future war games with U.S. . September 29, 2016 .
  3. Web site: DND sets aside P83M for rangers' project . . October 20, 2020 .
  4. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192965
  5. Web site: A salute to the brave . .
  6. Web site: 1st Scout Ranger Regiment .
  7. Web site: 2023-10-11 . 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 . 2024-04-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011065155/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1990/10/03/the-final-report-of-the-fact-finding-commission-v-the-failed-december-1989-coup-pre-coup-events-and-battle-zone-narratives/ . October 11, 2023 .
  8. Web site: 2013-03-24 . MUTINY BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF 1989 SIEGE . 2024-04-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130324185150/http://www.newsflash.org/2003/05/si/si001612.htm . March 24, 2013 .
  9. Web site: 2010-07-09 . Revisiting Camp Abubakar, ten years later . 2024-04-19 . en-US.
  10. Web site: Army commander shares how they killed Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute. cdodev.com. October 17, 2017. January 10, 2018.
  11. https://ops.gov.ph/news_releases/president-duterte-receives-honorary-scout-ranger-badge-first-scout-ranger-regiment/ President Duterte receives Honorary Scout Ranger Badge from First Scout Ranger Regiment
  12. Web site: Go . Miriam Grace . 2018-05-25 . Marawi's silent heroes: Scout Rangers remember their days on the battlefield . 2024-04-19 . RAPPLER . en-US.
  13. Web site: Scout Rangers, Indonesia Special Forces conclude 2-week training . Philippine News Agency .