Serving as military backups in times of war and peace, Philippine Army’s (PA) 408th (Palawan) Community Defense Center (CDC) subjected to test a company of reservists from Palawan Ready Reserve Battalion (RRBN) during the Joint Closing Ceremony Advance ROTC Academic Phase Training (ARAPT) and Company Assembly Test/Mustering RR1.
The event was held in Western Philippine University (WPU) Puerto Princesa Campus on Saturday, June 1.
According to 408th CDC, the assembly was held to test the mobilization preparedness of the reservists when called.
“Sinubukan namin mag-roll call ng isang kumpanya… ang kumpanya is dapat 137, pero ang nakaresponse ay 120. Atleast nandoon tayo sa 90 hanggang 95%,” said Col Dario C. Bucawit, Director of 408th CDC, in an exclusive interview with Palawan Daily News.
Col Bucawit explained the importance of the reservists.
“Kaya may reservists, tutulong ‘yan sila in times of war or in times of peace. In times of peace, maraming mga ginagawa natin tulad ng environmental protection, ‘yung man-made o natural calamities, disaster rescue and relief operations. Tapos ngayon ‘yung problema natin, ‘yung mga terrorists. ‘Yan ang trabaho ng mga reservists, tutulong sila sa pagsolve ng problema natin dito.”
Aborlan Vice Mayor Lito O. Tito was the guest of honor and speaker. He was invited for his support in the activities of the reserve force in Palawan. Vice Mayor Tito urged the reservists to help in activities aimed at saving the natural resources of the province.
“Ineencourage ko po kayo na maki-ano (sumali) tayo, katulad po ng pagmementena ng environment, pagtulungan po natin ‘pagkat problema po talaga, ‘yung mga kagubatan at mga isda natin ay mawawala,” said Tito.
At the same time, 104 Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets of WPU Puerto Princesa Campus graduated from their Advance ROTC Academic Phase Training.
The cadets are incoming 2nd year BS Criminology students of WPU Puerto Princesa Campus.
The ROTC program and the establishment of the Citizen Armed Forces are conducted as mandate by Republic Act No. 7077 or the “Citizens Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act.”
Col Bucawit also expressed his support to the mandatory ROTC among senior high school students to instill discipline and patriotism among the youth.
“Ang desire ng ating pamahalaan ay ibalik natin (through ROTC) ‘yung discipline at love of country, kasi mga kabataan ngayon halos wala na silang loyalty sa ating bansa, kung kinakanta ‘yung pambansang awit natin ‘di na marunong huminto, ‘di man marunong mag stand in attention, nagbabasketball sila. At tsaka ‘yung paggalang, nalulong na vices, kung minsan droga … Kung ibalik sana yung ROTC, hopefully, makakatulong definitely para maturuan ng disiplina ‘yung mga kabataan natin,” Col Bucawit said.
The House of Representatives approved the bill mandating the mandatory ROTC program for senior high school students on its final reading last May 20.
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