Expansion of elite unit explained

MANILA, Philippines—The expansion of the military’s elite counterterrorism unit from a battalion to a regiment was part of the defense establishment’s efforts to add 20,000 soldiers to the current troop strength of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, a Department of National Defense official said on Wednesday.

Defense spokesman Dr. Peter Galvez said “specialty units” like the US-trained Light Reaction Battalion (LRB) of the Army were among those identified to be the recipients of the troop increase that President Aquino approved last year.

Galvez also said the LRB was able to “prove the importance of such specialized unit” during the deadly Zamboanga siege by Moro rebels last September.—Nikko Dizon