Army elite unit expands

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jan 17): Army elite unit expands

The Philippine Army's Light Reaction Battalion, deployed in Zamboanga City to contain the rogue Moro National Liberation Front – Nur Misuari faction in September last year, was expanded yesterday into a regiment-sized unit.

The activation of Light Reaction Regiment, the lead counter-terrorist unit of the Philippine Army, was made yesterday at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija The event also coincided with the 23rd founding anniversary of the Special Operations Command, with Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes among the guests.

The 6th Special Forces Battalion and the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion are among the Army's elite units that used to be deployed in Negros for counter-insurgency operations, under the SOCOM supervision.

Military records show that SF and Scout Rangers, as well as the LRB troopers, were among the AFP elite units who liberated Zambonga City from MNLF control, after almost a month of fierce gunbattle.

With the activation, the LRB has expanded into a regiment composed of six companies that will be under the command of Col. Teodoro Llamas.

Formerly known as the Light Reaction Battalion, the Light Reaction Regiment will include the 4th Light Reaction Company that is expected to be activated this year, while the 5th and 6th Light Reaction Companies will be formed not later than 2015.

Coballes said the battalion has proven its mettle in the country's counter-terrorism efforts during the Zamboanga siege.

The expertise among the unit include hostage rescue operations, special reconnaissance, special operations target interdiction, direct action operations and counter-terrorist operations.

Its mission is to organize, train, equip, provide and sustain counter terrorist unit and conduct counter terrorist operations in support of the Philippine Army's mission.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/January/17/negor3.htm