• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Light Armor Division
Light Armor Brigade
Light Armor Regiment

The Mission of the Light Armor Division is to conduct armor operations in support of Philippine Army tactical units. The Division maintained 5 Light Armor Battalions, 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions, 2 separate Light Armor Companies deployed in various parts of the archipelago, one Aviation Battalion stationed in Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, an Armor Maintenance Battalion, a Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battalion, a Signal Company, an Engineer Combat Company and the Armor School, all based in Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.

Prior to 1976, armor units (of Battalion and Company size) were dispersed to the Philippine Army's infantry divisions. The number of these formations had increased in the 1960s and 1970s. While the growing number of armored units in the AFP was perceived as a sign of organizational strength, it had its downside. Units competed for critical logistical parts for the armored vehicles. It was the main reason why tank and reconnaissance (equipped with armored cars) units in the battalion combat teams (BCTs) were not able to optimize the use of their armored assets due to problems on maintenance.

Thus, the Philippine Army Light Armor Regiment (PALAR) integrated all the existing Light Armor Battalions and Separate Companies of the Army on 16 August 1976. Like its predecessors, the new unit saw action in many battles against lawless elements or enemies of the state and earning the respect not only of their adversaries but all other supported units of the AFP as well.

As envisioned in the late 1970s, a modern Army with the capability of rapid troop movement or deployment was not carried out due to bureaucratic complications. It was only after the famed EDSA Revolution of 22 to 25 February 1986 when the plan was revived. Part of the impressive plan was to upgrade the armored unit and improve its capabilities.

On 19 March 1986, the unit was upgraded into a brigade size and was officially designated the Light Armor Brigade or LABde. Following the sale of military reservations in Metro Manila by virtue of Republic Act No. 7227, or Bases Conversion Development Act of 1992, which was signed into law by President Corazon Aquino on 13 March 1992, to include a substantial part of Fort Bonifacio, the Brigade transferred to Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac on 3 February 1996.

The Light Armor Brigade was upgraded into a Division on 11 September 2006. For the first time in the history of the Armor, the Division was given a task to undertake internal security operation (ISO) mission in the areas of operation (AO) of Tarlac City, Capas and Concepcion, all of the province of Tarlac (the responsibility of 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion).