1st Scout Ranger Regiment

The Scout Rangers (SR), known officially as the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSSR),^[1] is a special operations forces of the Philippine Army (PA) that is specialized in combat patrols and scouting behind enemy lines in a special operations forces (SOF) style. The SR is similar to the 75th Ranger Regiment of the United States Army (USA). Their headquarters is based at Camp Pablo Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan.^[2][3]

First Scout Ranger Regiment
Pin Badge of the Scout Rangers
Active	November 25, 1950 – present
Country	Philippines
Branch	Philippine Army
Type	Special operations forces
Role	Anti-guerrilla warfare Reconnaissance Special operations
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[citation needed]
Colors	Red
March	Scout Ranger [citation needed]
Anniversaries	November 25
Engagements	Hukbalahap Rebellion Communist rebellion Islamic insurgencies Moro conflict New People's Army rebellion Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines 2013 Zamboanga Siege 2017 Marawi Crisis
Decorations	Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge Presidential Streamer Award
Commanders
Current commander	Col. Isagani O. Criste PA
Notable commanders	LGen Rafael Ileto AFP Gen Felix Brawner II AFP BGen Marcelo Blando AFP BGen Julius Javier AFP BGen Danilo Lim AFP BGen Reynaldo Mapagu AFP

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^[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]

Training

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]