| Light Reaction Battalion | |
|---|---|
| File:LightReactionBn.jpg | |
| Active | 2001 (Officially activated on February 1, 2004) - Present |
| Country |
 Philippines |
| Branch | Philippine Army |
| Type | Direct Action, Counter-Terrorism Reconnaissance, Unconventional Warfare |
| Size | Known to have 3 companies in the past[1][2] |
| Part of | Under the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Philippine Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija[3] |
| Nickname(s) |
LRB Light Reaction Company or LRC (Former) |
| Engagements |
Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines Anti-guerilla operations against the NPA and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Col Ronnie S. Evangelista PA (GSC) |
| Notable commanders | Jose Luntok, Lawrence San Juan |
The Light Reaction Battalion is the lead counter-terrorist unit of the Philippine Army. It was formerly known as the Light Reaction Company. Its creation was primarily credited to a $25 million grant by the US Department of State used for the battalion's formation.[1]
History[]
The Light Reaction Battalion (LRB) can trace its origins back to the year 2000 when non-commissioned officers from the Scout Rangers and Philippine Army Special Forces were trained by American military advisers from the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group.[1] From February to July 2001,[4] American special forces trained and raised the former LRC with further training during the 2002 Balikatan exercises,[5] whose members were first drawn from the Scout Rangers and 1st Special Forces Regiment.[4] After days and years of training under American instructors, the LRC was officially activated on February 1, 2004[6] and was tasked to be deployed into Mindanao in order to combat Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists responsible for abducting several foreign hostages,[4] with the unit conducting an operation to rescue Gracia Burnham from Abu Sayyaf terrorists.[7] Further exercises had been conducted during the 2006 Balikatan exercises.[8] The LRB had been involved in a rescue operation conducted on a kidnapped Italian priest by armed men in 2007.[9]
The unit had recently been involved in the aftermath of the Manila Peninsula rebellion, where they had been deployed to Manila to deter any other coup attempts.[3][10] In addition, LRB forces have been deployed to Mindanao to conduct anti-terrorist operations in the region.[11]
The unit changed to its current name from the former Light Reaction Company to adapt to the increase in the unit's manpower and to pursue Anti-Terrorist duties in the Philippines.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Philippine soldiers show off what they learned from the Green Berets. Retrieved on July 23, 2010. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "Stuff" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ U.S. Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone before FOCAP. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Military braces for power grab try. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines: What Would Sun Tzu Say? Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ↑ 'Shoulder to Shoulder'. Combatting Terrorists in the Philippines. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ↑ Combat Magazine, March 2008. Page 41.
- ↑ Philippines since 1945. Retrieved on January 2, 2008
- ↑ Philippine, U.S. SOF sharpen skills. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ↑ ITALIAN ENVOY HAPPY FOR MILITARY'S EFFORT TO RESCUE ITALIAN PRIEST BOSSI. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ↑ AFP beefs up Metro troops as threat remains ‘active’. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ↑ No cut in US military aid. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
External links[]
The original article can be found at Light Reaction Battalion (Philippines) and the edit history here.