MANILA -- The Philippine Army (PA) formally welcomed to its ranks its newest Scout rangers and snipers during a short ceremony at Camp Tecson, San Miguel, Bulacan on Wednesday.
1st Scout Ranger Regiment commander, Brig. Gen. William N. Gonzales, presided over the closing ceremonies for Scout Ranger Course Class 206-2018 and Scout Sniper Course Class 25-2018.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director General Oscar D. Albayalde, led the pinning of Scout Ranger and Scout Sniper badges to the graduates. He was assisted by PA Chief, Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto.
A total of 146 personnel coming from the different Army units including one from the Philippine Air Force and 16 from the Philippine National Police finished the Scout Ranger Course. Meanwhile, 21 personnel have successfully hurdled the Scout Sniper course.
The Scout Ranger Course is a 10-month training that requires strength, speed and mental toughness which specializes on jungle warfare, close quarter combat, urban warfare and counter terrorism operations. On the other hand, the Scout Snipers was a more than seven months of mentally and physically challenging training that involves camouflaging and stalking techniques for them to operate independently forward of friendly position in the battlefield.
These two courses are considered as among the toughest specialization training that is being offered by the Army which aims to develop personnel capability, cohesiveness and combat efficiency. The new graduates are expected to boost the combat capabilities of their respective units as they are integrated and employed based on their new learned skills.
Albayalde was conferred as honorary member of the newly graduate Scout Ranger Course Class 206-2018.
In his remarks, he expressed his delight for the honor accorded to him by the Philippine Army. In retrospect, he proudly shared that he himself has undertaken the Scout Ranger Orientation Course while the Ranger’s camp was still stationed in Tanay, Rizal.
He said that through continuous coordination and cooperation between the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Army in particular, there is no doubt that the government could succeed in quelling the various security threats besetting the country. He emphasized that training is truly an important factor especially in the security sector to fully attain its goal of providing a safe and secured environment for the people.
Alberto, on the other hand, congratulated the graduates and the leadership of FSRR for a job well done. He stressed to the members of the regiment to continue hone their unique skills and maintain the highest standard of discipline.
“Let us remain humble yet relevant in pursuit of the Army’s mission accomplishment. Let us fight the way we trained and train the way we fight,” he added.
The event underscores the success of the Philippine Army in attaining its objective of producing an agile force, making highly disciplined rangers and snipers that stands for the Army’s core values of honor, patriotism and duty. (PNA)
