Philippine Military to Hold Reservist Conference This December
The Philippine military announced this week it would be conducting a reservist meet in early December.
In a Facebook post, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs (AFP-OJ9) invited reservists to participate in its AFP Reservists National Convention for the year 2024, as well as the first general assembly of the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines Inc. (ARRAPI) since it was established in 2023, on Dec. 7 at the SMX Mega Trade Hall 2 at SM Megamall.
“For many years, reservists have contributed much to the AFP and the nation and have been regarded for their volunteerism and dedication,” the caption wrote in part.
Reservists from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, and the AFP Reserve Command can register online via Google Forms, depending on which branch of service they were enlisted or commissioned to. QR codes are also available on a separate online poster.
According to Republic Act 7077 (Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act of 1991), the Armed Forces of the Philippines is mandated to establish a reserve force that would “[1] provide the base for the expansion of the [AFP] in the event of war, invasion or rebellion; [2] to assist in relief and rescue during disaster or calamities; [3] to assist in socioeconomic development; and [4] to assist in the operation and maintenance of essential government or private utilities in the furtherance of overall mission.”
Filipino military reservists come from one of the four categories established since the law’s implementation, namely: the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC); Basic Citizen’s Military Training (BCMT); Special Basic Citizen’s Military Training (SBCMT); and Military Orientation Training (MOT). ROTC graduates primarily come from universities and other tertiary institutions, while graduates of the three other training courses are composed of individuals who either did not take the ROTC back in college since the enactment of Republic Act 9163 (National Service Training Program Act of 2001) or have not taken undergraduate studies altogether.
Paper Straw Media contacted the AFP-OJ9 for further details, specifically whether the event would be open to the public.