| Light Reaction Battalion | |
|---|---|
| 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 | 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]
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 LRB been 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.