Light Reaction Battalion
From Worldatplay
| Light Reaction Battalion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Active | 2001 - Present | |
| Country |  Philippines
| |
| Branch | Philippine Army | |
| Type | Direct Action, Counter-Terrorism Reconnaissance, Unconventional Warfare | |
| Size | 3 Companies | |
| Part of | Philippine Army Special Operations Command (PASOC) | |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija | |
| Nickname | LRB Light Reaction Company or LRC (Former) | |
| Battles/wars | Anti-guerilla operations against the NPA and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front | |
| Commanders | ||
| Current commander | Lt. Col. Danilo Pamonag | |
| 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 a grant permitted by the US Department of State with a $25 million grant that had been used for the battalion's formation.
History
The LRB had its origin traced back the year 2000 when Non-commissioned officers were being trained by American military advisers from the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group unit. From February to July 2001, American special forces trained and raised the former LRC with further training during the 2002 Balikatan exercises, whose members were first drawn from the Scout Rangers and 1st Special Forces Regiment. After days of trained under American instructors, the LRC was tasked to be deployed into Mindanao in order to combat Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists responsible for abducting several foreign hostages, with the unit conducting an operation to rescue Gracia Burnham from Abu Sayyaf terrorists. Further exercises had been conducted during the 2006 Balikatan exercises. The LRB had been involved in a rescue operation conducted on a kidnapped Italian priest by armed men in 2007.
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. In addition, LRB forces have been deployed to Mindanao to conduct anti-terrorist operations in the region.
The LRB was given its current name from the former Light Reaction Company, following an increase in men in recent years so as to pursue anti-terrorist duties in the Philippines.
