FOUR hundred new reservists were recently inducted into the military’s reserve force in Ilocos Norte, boosting the province’s capability in defense and disaster response.
Lt. Col. Michael Romero, commander of the 2nd Air Force Wing Reserve and chairman of the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines, led the recent oathtaking ceremony in Batac, Ilocos Norte.
“We are building a modern reserve force, one that is local, responsive, and led by people who know the heart of their communities,” he said.
Romero thanked Brig. Gen. Danilo Dupiag, acting AFP deputy chief of staff for reservist and retiree affairs, and Lt. Col. Mel Agpaoa, commander of Army Reservist Brigade in Ilocos Norte for convening and hosting, respectively, the event.
The addition of the 400 Ilocano reservists brought to more than 5,000 the current members of ARRAPI which is composed of reservists and administrators from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.
Romero expressed gratitude to Ilocos Norte Gov. Cecilia Marcos, also a member of the Air Force reserve force, for gracing the ceremony.
Marcos is reportedly due to be designated commander of the Search and Rescue Squadron and head of the Advance Command Post of Laoag, Ilocos Norte, under the 2nd Air Force Wing Reserve.
The other ARRAPI leaders present in the ceremony were Cdr. Peter Negrido, Lt. Col. Vladimir Mata, and Lt. Col. Gel Bonggat, who are from the reserve force of the Navy and Marines.
“This is not just a ceremony, it is a statement that Ilocos Norte is ready,” said Agpaoa.
For his part, Negrido said, “Search and rescue is essential in every disaster-prone province.”
Mata said the ceremony shows that “patriotism begins in our local communities.”
“We are ready to serve the country and Ilocos Norte,” he said in Filipino.
Dupiag commended the mobilization of reservists in Ilocos Norte as a model for the rest of the country.
“Ilocos Norte has raised the bar. This is how we prepare our people for service — through unity, leadership, and discipline,” he said.
