The Philippine Army has officially formed a new reserve force composed of elite Scout Rangers in August 2025, marking the first time the country’s premier special operations troops will continue serving as reservists after their active duty.
In line with Republic Act 7077 or the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act., the initiative places veteran Scout Rangers under the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command (AFPRESCOM).
According to the Army, the move aims to strengthen the capabilities of the reserve force by integrating highly trained special operators who can be mobilized for national defense, counter-insurgency support, disaster response, and other emergency operations.
Scout Rangers, known for their expertise in jungle warfare and counterterrorism, are regarded as among the toughest units of the Philippine military.
Their inclusion in the reserve corps is expected to significantly enhance readiness and operational flexibility across reserve units nationwide.
The program involves specialized orientation training to ensure that Scout Ranger reservists maintain proficiency in tactics and skills honed during active service.
AFPRESCOM will oversee their mobilization and integration into existing reserve structures.
Military officials underscored that the reserve component remains crucial to augmenting regular forces in times of war, invasion, rebellion, or major calamities.
With elite troops now part of the reserves, the Army hopes to inspire broader participation in reserve service.
As the Army strengthens its reserve ranks with battle-hardened Scout Rangers, the question now is how this development will reshape the balance of the country’s defense and disaster-response capabilities in the years ahead.
