Col. Alexander Macario to take over command of Army counter-terrorist unit

MANILA — The Philippine Army’s lead counter-terrorist unit will be having a new commander by next week.

Col. Alexander Macario will assume his new post as commander of the Light Reaction Regiment on April 26, replacing Col. Danilo Pamonag.

The Special Operations Command, which has jurisdiction over the LRR, will implement the change of command next week, according to acting Army spokesperson, Col. Arnulfo Burgos.

The order designating Macario as the new LRR commander was issued last March 21, the military said.

“He is a well decorated combat officer whose vast experiences leading people in the field, coupled with his effective leadership qualities, have further honed and prepared him to assume higher command positions,” said Burgos of the new LRR commander.

Macario is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandiwa” Class of 1985.

He was previously charged with allegedly violating some provisions of the Articles of War in connection with the October 18, 2011 day-long firefight between government troops and Muslim rebels in Al-Barka, Basilan, leading to the deaths of 19 soldiers.

He was later acquitted by a general court martial for insufficiency of evidence.

The LRR, or formerly the Light Reaction Battalion and Light Reaction Company, is the Army’s lead counter-terrorist unit based in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

It was formally activated in 2004 after its members trained with American special forces.

It was instrumental in combatting the Abu Sayyaf that year and in rescuing American Gracia Burnham from the terrorists, as well as the rescue of an abducted Italian priest in 2007.  SFM