Light Reaction Regiment

Light Reaction Regiment
Active February 1, 2004 - 2008 (LRB)
2008 - 2013 (LRC)
2014 - Present (LRR)
Country Philippines Philippines
Branch Philippine Army
Type Special Forces
Role Direct Action, Counter-Terrorism Reconnaissance, Unconventional Warfare, Hostage Rescue
Size Classified[1][2]
Part of Under the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Philippine Army
Garrison/HQ Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija[3]
Nickname(s) Light Reaction Regiment (LRR)
Light Reaction Battalion (LRB) (Former)
Light Reaction Company (LRC) (Former)
Motto(s) "Tiradores de la Muerte" (Sharpshooters of Death)
Engagements Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines
Anti-guerilla operations against the NPA and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Decorations
Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge
Presidential Streamer Award
Commanders
Current
commander		 Col Danilo Pamonag INF (GSC) PA
Notable
commanders		 Jose Luntok, Lawrence San Juan
Insignia
AFP Master Parachutist Badge
Scout Ranger Qualification Badge
Special Forces Qualification Badge

The Light Reaction Regiment is the lead counter-terrorist unit of the Philippine Army. It was formerly known as the Light Reaction Battalion and Light Reaction Company. Its creation was primarily credited to a $25 million grant by the US Department of State used for the regiment's formation.[4]

History

The Light Reaction Regiment 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.[4] From February to July 2001,[5] American special forces trained and raised the former LRC with further training during the 2002 Balikatan exercises,[6] whose members were first drawn from the Scout Rangers and 1st Special Forces Regiment.[5] After days and years of training under American instructors, the LRC was officially activated on February 1, 2004[7] and was tasked to be deployed into Mindanao in order to combat Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists responsible for abducting several foreign hostages,[5] with the unit conducting an operation to rescue Gracia Burnham from Abu Sayyaf terrorists.[8] Further exercises had been conducted during the 2006 Balikatan exercises.[9] The LRB had been involved in a rescue operation conducted on a kidnapped Italian priest by armed men in 2007.[10]

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][11] In addition, LRB forces have been deployed to Mindanao to conduct anti-terrorist operations in the region.[12]

The unit was renamed the LRB 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. In 2014, the unit was again renamed into the Light Reaction Regiment due to its heroic stand in Zamboanga in September 2013. Its elevation to a full regiment was formally sanctioned by Defense Secretary Gazmin on January 16, 2014.[13]

See also

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Philippine soldiers show off what they learned from the Green Berets. Retrieved on July 23, 2010.
  2. ↑ U.S. Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone before FOCAP. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
  3. 1 2 Military braces for power grab try. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
  4. 1 2 Philippine soldiers show off what they learned from the Green Berets. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
  5. 1 2 3 Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines: What Would Sun Tzu Say? Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
  6. ↑ 'Shoulder to Shoulder'. Combatting Terrorists in the Philippines. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
  7. ↑ Combat Magazine, March 2008. Page 41.
  8. ↑ Philippines since 1945. Retrieved on January 2, 2008
  9. ↑ Philippine, U.S. SOF sharpen skills. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
  10. ↑ ITALIAN ENVOY HAPPY FOR MILITARY'S EFFORT TO RESCUE ITALIAN PRIEST BOSSI. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
  11. ↑ AFP beefs up Metro troops as threat remains ‘active’. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
  12. ↑ No cut in US military aid. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
  13. ↑ Nikko Dizon & Tarra Quismundo (January 17, 2014). "We need big ally vs bully". Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Bibliography

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