15/07/2026
Scout Rangers welcomes its 18th Commander
The First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR), Special Operation Command (SOCOM), Philippine Army (PA), formally welcomed its new Regiment Commander, Brigadier General Montano B. Almodovar PA, during a Change of Command Ceremony held today, 15 July 2026 at Headquarters FSRR in Camp Pablo Tecson, San Miguel, Bulacan.
The ceremony was presided over by Major General Ferdinand B. Napuli, Commander of the Special Operations Command, Philippine Army, and witnessed by senior military officers, distinguished guests and stakeholders, former FSRR commanders and Sergeant Majors, and their families.
Central to the ceremony was the time-honored passing of the unit colors, a symbolic act that represents the transfer of authority and responsibility. As the colors were handed over, they embodied not only the trust placed in the incoming commander but also the continuity of the regiment’s mission, values, and traditions. The moment served as a powerful reminder that while leadership may change, the commitment to duty and service remains constant.
Brig. Gen. Almodovar assumed command from Major General Isagani O. Criste PA, who now serves as the Inspector General, Philippine Army. In his remarks, Maj. Gen. Napuli recognized Maj. Gen. Criste’s excellent and transformative leadership, which raised the Regiment’s readiness and strengthened its role in the special operations landscape.
On the other hand, Maj. Gen. Napuli expresses his trust and confidence in Brig. Gen. Almodovar, a seasoned Scout Ranger who has vast experience and numerous mission accomplishments in leading his men on the front.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed sense of purpose among the members of the First Scout Ranger Regiment. With leadership formally transferred, the unit stands prepared to continue its mission with the same level of dedication and excellence that has defined it for decades.