MANILA, June 22 (PNA) -- They buried a hero at high noon today.

As the casket bearing the remains of Gen. Rafael M. Ileto, known as the father of the the famed Scout Rangers of the Philippine Army, was lowered to its final resting place at the "Libingan sa mga Bayani" in Fort Bonifacio, Makati City, a staccato of gunfire from M-14 assaut rifles reverberated the serene atmosphere.

Then a "Huey" helicopter from the Philippine Air Force made a low pass showering the crowd down below with conffetti of fresh flowers.

Muffled sound of a drum broke the long silence accompanied by a melancholic tempo of a trumpet slowly pierced into the cloudy sky as the Scout Ranger hymn was sang with fervor by a group of new generation of Rangers in their black uniforms -- the same original design when Ileto formed the elite unit fighting in November 1950.

It was a poignant scene from the start of the elaborate ceremony reserved for an officer and gentleman who served with honor and dignity to his Motherland in time of war and in time of peace. Ileto served both splendidly.

During Edsa 1 people power uprising, Ileto served as a go-between as a peacemaker between the opposing Marcos forces and the Enrile-Ramos faction.

As the founder of the Scout Rangers, Ileto is best remembered for his role in breaking the backbone of the Hukbalahap (Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon) rebellion at the most crucial time when rebel forces were knocking at the corridors of Manila in the early '50s.

It was the Scout Rangers, commanded by Ileto, who delivered the coup de grace on the recalcitrant Hukbalahap movement.

The Rangers trained in guerilla tactics sought out the Huks in their jungle domain in Central Luzon up to Sierra Madre Mountain.

With their patented all-black uniform, the Rangers fighting style in close quarter combat behind enemy lines baffled the Huks.

Known for their quickness like a panther which is symbolized by their patches, Ileto's Rangers conducted ambuscades in unlikely places where the enemy thought they were out of harms way.

"Their unorthodox technique and strategy were so devastating that the Huks did not know what hit them," recalled retired Army chief Maj. Gen. Josephus Ramas, a member of the First Scout Ranger Company organized by Ileto.

One of their most successful techniques was to stay in one place for days waiting in ambush for the unsuspecting rebels to pass by.

It was an ultimate test of their stamina and patience waiting, waiting and waiting for their prey.

Almost always their patience paid off with the Huks at the receiving end.

Operating as a small team of seven men, at most nine, the Rangers stalk their target with one sweeping lightning strike catching the enemy flatfooted.

With their brilliant quickness, Ileto and his men had withdrawn before the Huks could react.

They earned the sobriquet -- now you see them, now you don't -- because of their swiftness.

The Rangers were so elusive in close quarter combat that Ileto's unit sustained only three killed in action and six wounded during a three-year fighting with the Huks.

Ileto formed the Rangers after he returned from the United States as a member of the famous Scout Alamo.

The unconventional fighting was the only way to fight the hit-and-run tactic the Huks had employed.

Despite his eloquence, Ileto remained humble taking in stride unfulfilled goals he aspired in life because he stood by his principles.

One such sterling moment as a military officer was his vocal opposition when then President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law in 1972.

He could have become chief of staff had he not opposed Marcos. But Ileto could not sacrifie his principle. He remained steadfast of his belief.

Marcos could not dismiss him from the military service because Ileto did no wrong.

To ease him out, Marcos appointed Ileto as the Philippine ambassador to Iran. At the same time, Ileto was named as AFP vice chief of staff, a position he held until he retired.

As defense secretary at a time when the military was fragmented, Ileto earned the respect of his peers, including rebel soldiers.

He prevented the AFP from total disintegration at the most crucial time -- a legacy he left to the institution dear to his heart.

Like an old soldier, Gen. Ileto fades into the abyss of death to salute his eternal Creator. (PNA)

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PNA 06221350