A TOTAL of 204 reservists and at least a thousand Advanced Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets completed their advanced academic phase training at the headquarters of the 4th Regional Community Defense Corp in Camp General Macario Sakay in Los Baños, Laguna on August 20, 2022.

The Joint Closing Ceremony of Basic Citizen Military Training “Masilag” Class 03-2022 and Advance Academic Phase Training Military Science 31-32 and 41-42 was attended by 204 new reservists, 598 ARAPT 31-32 students and 390 ARAPT 41-42 students.

“The ROTC program aims to provide military education and training for students like you for national defense preparedness and mobilization. The benefits of being an advanced ROTC Officer last a lifetime. You were trained as a leader and manager,” Maj. Gen. Fernando Felipe, commander of the Philippine Army Reserve Command, said in his keynote address.

“I fervently hope that you will be instrumental to our country’s stable peace and development,” the RCPA chief told the newly minted reservists and the Advanced ROTC cadets.

The Philippine Army leadership has prioritized the development of well-capacitated, well-trained and well-organized Army reserve units that will act as effective force multipliers to regular troops.

Reservists and ROTC cadets have played a crucial role in the humanitarian assistance and disaster-response efforts for families affected by natural calamities across the country such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and typhoons.