8ID commander urges new scout rangers: Be ready to take on greater responsibility

By DPAO, 8ID PA
September 8, 2014

CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – Major General Jet B Velarmino, AFP, Commander, 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army graced the graduation ceremony of sixty-four (64) students of the Scout Ranger Course Class 189-2013 at Headquarters, First Scout Ranger Regiment, SOCOM, PA, Camp Tecson, San Miguel, Bulacan on September 8, 2014.

The sixty-four (64) students that comprise SRC Class 189-2013 came from the different units of Philippine Army and Philippine National Police. After undergoing the tough and rigid preparatory leadership and combat skills training at Camp Tecson, the students were then deployed here in Samar last July 14, 2014 to test and hone their skills and expertise in tactical operations against rebel armed groups operating in the region.

Notwithstanding their short stint in the area, the class significantly yielded various accomplishments to include the recovery of two (2) carbine rifles; capture of enemy camps specifically at Barangay Capoto-an and Poponton both of Las Navas, Northern Samar.

In his message, Major General Jet B Velarmino humbly acknowledged the sacrifices made by each student in undergoing the rigid of the course, “I believe that there were times in your training that you feel like giving up, as if you were put into extreme torment, but you never let that overcome you.” Addressing the families, friends and loved ones of the graduates, “… you have been the inspiration and motivation of our graduates. You are the very reason why they have made it this far.”

“Be ready to take on greater responsibility in fighting against unprincipled individuals who intend to obliterate the peace and freedom that our nation have”, Velarmino added.

The Scout Rangers are elite forces of the Philippine Army. Ranger qualified personnel are highly-skilled in guerilla warfare able to match the enemy’s cunning, agility, and combat strategies. Their success in the field of combat operations is a replete of stories of heroism, sacrifices, and exceptional combat accomplishments, sometimes beyond the call of duty.