Philippine Marine Corps - Force Recon Battalion
Philippine Marine Corps - Force Recon Battalion
Philippine Marine Corps - Force Recon Battalion
The Recon unit saw intense combat actions alongside with the MBLTs
during the Secessionist Movement of the MNLF in Southern Mindanao in
the early 1070's. Thus the four (4) - man team earned its fame.
On 15 Sept 1985, the 1st Recon Company was re-designated as the 61st
Marine (Recon) Company. The 61st Recon Company had most of its field
assignments in Mindanao, particularly in the Zamboanga peninsula where
they were pitted against several dissident terrorists (DTs) and the
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) lost command.
While at the MBFB, Recon Company was eventually deployed and utilized
against the renegade soldiers in Metro Manila and successfully
apprehended several of these during different raids in their hideouts.
From 1993 to 1994, the Company was designated under the Marine Rapid
Deployment Force and was sent to Cotabato to face more combat
operations.
In October 1998 the entire battalion, the Headquarters and the three
(3) Companies were all deployed in Southern Mindanao under the defunct
Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) - Mindanao. Here,
the FRBn took on various special operations ranging from direct actions
against the ASG and KFRG's, to ship assault and raids on built up areas
against big time smugglers.
In March 1999 the battalion was confronted with the war in Central
Mindanao against the MILF. Again, the headquarters went into action
together with its three (3) Companies where three (3) of its men
earning for the Battalion their three (3) Medals of Valor.
On August 2001, the FRBn was once again deployed in Basilan to rescue
the Dos Palmas hostages and to neutralize the ASG, while one (1) Force
Recon Company was committed for the Force Recon Course Class 07-01
which was operating under Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) AOR. In the
same year, and in accordance to Marine Corps Table of Organization
(TOE) 01-00 the 61st, 62nd, and 63rd Marine (Recon) Companies were re-
designated as the 61st, 62nd, and 63rd Force Recon Companies,
respectively.
THE SCOUT RAIDER THE FORERUNNER
The forerunner of the Recon was the Scout Raider Platoon which was
part of then the Weapons Company of the Philippine Marine Battalion in
the 1950's.
It was in 1954 that due to the formation of the Scout Raider Platoon
the Philippine Marine Battalion then first received formal instruction
and training in combat parachuting. Thus, it officially became the
first airborne unit of the Philippine Navy in general.
Nonetheless, it was crucial though that when the first Recon Company
was activated the Scout Raider personnel were the first to fill up the
unit. Thus, there was indeed a feeling of consanguinity and
relationship between two different units.
So far, since its inception the Recon unit garnered three (3) Medals
of Valor and in two (2) counts it won for itself the AFP Outstanding
Personnel of the Year in 1985 and 2001 respectively.
Not only in combat that the Force Recon proved its prowess, equally
the unit has answered the call in countless disaster rescue and relief
operations. Noteworthy, the Reconnaissance personnel and units wherever
they go undoubtedly leaves a mark of respect among its civilian
masters, and fear on their adversaries - a trademark common only to
units of the Philippine Marine Corps.