| First Scout Ranger Regiment | |
|---|---|
Pin Badge of the Scout Rangers |
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| 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 | Under the 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 |
| March | Scout Ranger Song |
| Mascot | Civet |
| Anniversaries | November 25 |
| Engagements | Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines Anti-guerrilla operations against the NPA and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front |
| Decorations | Presidential Streamer Award |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
COL Abraham Bagasin INF (GSC) PA |
| Notable commanders |
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| Insignia | |
| Unit Patch/Tab | Scout Ranger Patch/Tab |
The Scout Rangers, known officially as the First Scout Ranger Regiment, is a Philippine Army Special Operations Command unit, and specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare. The regiment has been boasted as one of the world's best anti-guerrilla fighters.[1]
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The Scout Ranger Regiment was born on November 25, 1950 under the command of former AFP Vice Chief of Staff and Defense Secretary Rafael M. 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, [Hukbalahap Rebellion] with a force trained in small unit actions.[2] Scout Rangers participated in the December 1989 coup attempt against the Corazon Aquino - Aquino Administration.[3] 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,[3][4] which left hundreds of civilians and soldiers dead, and hundreds more injured.
Scout Ranger played a major role in capturing the MILF rebel camp during the all out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The Scout Ranger is one of the most experienced elite unit in the world today. This is the Army's most celebrated breed of fighting men, up in the mountains where they roam. They are the men in black fatigues, It is a family circle of a well-trained, close-knit unit delivering the main punch in the counter-insurgency campaign primarily a strike anywhere force with troops scattered all over the country.
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]
FORT BONIFACIO Fort Andres Bonifacio - Makati, Fort Bonifacio is named after the Philippine Hero of Philippine Revolution - Andres Bonifacio. He is a nationalist and a revolutionary from Manila.
CAMP TECSON - Sibul Spring, San Miguel, Bulacan, Camp Tecson was named after Pablo Tecson, [Pablo Ocampo Tecson] Philippine Hero of Philippine Revolution, who donated the land where the camp was built. He is the one who led in the Battle of San Miguel - Philippine Revolution, Philippine Revolution - List of Filipino Generals in the Philippine Revolution of 1896 and the Filipino-American War of 1899. He became the first appointed Governor General, 1903 accepted by the American Rule after the Philippine American War. He was a Secretary of Department of Agriculture. Pablo Tecson is from San Miguel, Bulacan, his parents are Tiburcio Tecson and Paula Ocampo.
The following are subordinate battalions and companies of the 1st Scout Rangers.