Friday, October 26, 2012

Ang tuba sa Sirawai



Noong July 1995, napasabak sa isang engkwentro ang  Scout Ranger Course Class 121 na aking kinabilangan, sa kagubatan ng Sipaket-Panabutan Complex, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.

Nakasagupa ng aming hanay ang mga kaaway na humigit kumulang 50 bandidong kasapi sa hanay ni Kumander Aguila. Kasama ang grupong ito sa umatake at nagsunog sa bayan ng Ipil noong April 1995.
 
Matindi ang palitan ng putok ng magkabilang panig na tumagal ng halos isang oras. Umuulan ng M203 high explosive rounds.
 
Habang nag-aayos ng nag-jam na M60 GPMG ang isa sa aming classmate ay tinamaan sya sa ulo at namatay. Dalawa rin sa aming classmates ang tinamaan sa paa.
 
Dahil malalakas kami at preparado sa mahabang training, karipaspas ang aming pag-maneuver sa mga vantage positions upang malamangan ang mga kalaban.
 
Gusto naming lahat na managumpay sa aming combat mission dahil requirement ito upang makatapos kami  sa Scout Ranger Course.
 
Sa gitna ng putukan naririnig ang dumadagundong na boses ng opisyal naming classmate: "Team 1 covering fire, Team 2, Assault!"
 
Mabilis pa sa alas-kuwatro ang takbuhan habang tuloy-tuloy ang putok. Merong mga combat packs na naiwan ang mga bandido, pati armas at mga plastic containers.
 
Binitbit ng isang Ranger ang kanyang war booty na namumulang galon  at ipinakita sa kanyang Team Leader habang nakangisi: "Uy tuba, yeheeeeeey!"
 
Nanlaki ang mata ng lahat sa 'tuba' na dinala ng kasama. Meron itong karugtong na electric wire at di alam nasaan ang kabilang dulo na maaaring nandon ang triggering device.
 
Parang nakakita ng multo, nag-chorus ang tatlong Rangers sa pagsigaw: "Pu**ang ina! Bombaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
 
Sa isang iglap, nagsipaglaho ang lahat na nasa paligid ng inakalang tuba.
 
Hindi naman ito sumabog kasi hindi nai-connect ng bandido ang battery.
 
Nagtutulakan ang lahat kung sino ang mag-deactivate ng bomba.
 
Naka-graduate naman kami lahat na nagsurvive sa aming Test Mission at nagka-kantyawan sa aming karanasan.
 
Ang aming 'bartek' (lasenggero) na classmate ay tinawag naming si "Boy Tuba".

3 comments:

  1. Ranger C,

    I have always been curious as to being a Scout Ranger. If so an sergeant happens to enroll for an SR training, will he return to his former unit or would he be re-assigned?

    What makes an scout ranger sergeant and normal sergeant different in terms of job description? I'm confused on this matter as I have no knowledge on the military.

    Best Regards,
    Drey Roque
    (pagduaw.com)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Normally, soldiers who are sent by their commanders to undergo the SR course are sent back to their mother units upon graduation.

    A Scout ranger graduate has an edge over the others because he has a specialization course (SR Course).

    Having this kind of training normally open doors of opportunities because the SR graduate is most likely being preferred to be given leadership position in the unit. They are normally assigned also as training instructors thereby widening his sphere of influence. Remember, leadership is influencing. If people respect and follow you, you are leading them. It is therefore quite common to see SR graduates in various units (Infantry Divisions) being given sensitive positions of responsibility like being First Sergeants, Sergeant Majors and the like.

    As the famous Ranger saying goes: Rangers Lead the way! (RLTW).

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ranger C,

    Thanks for the reply. I can't help myself reply before I make a shut eye.

    About having to go back to their units as instructors. Is rank synonymous to leadership? I mean, I was just curious if an SR Sergeant is limited to only teaching the lower ranks?

    What happens if there will be higher ranks who are not SR. Does that mean they would require a higher ranking SR?

    Sorry for asking lots of questions about RE: Military.
    You seem nice to fill my curiosity and swift to respond.

    Lead Me the Way of enlightenment sir ranger sir...

    Happy Sunday nga pala...

    Best Regards,
    Drey Roque
    (pagduaw.com)

    PS. I am lurking on your site, happy to comment on posts but they're too old. I hope you can answer my questions there too sir. If you aren't too busy.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete