Badian VM, LTO officer now reserve army officers

CEBU, Philippines - Badian Vice Mayor Fructuoso Caballero and Land Transportation Office (LTO) assistant regional director Edgar Catarungan have been commissioned as officers of the Army’s Reserve Force bearing the rank of Captain.

Retired Army Col. Ceferino Layao, acting division commander of the 19th Ready Reserve Division administered the oath of allegiance to the commissioned reserve officers in front of the Badian Municipal Hall where the donning of rank ceremony was also held.

Caballero who was formerly a military enlisted personnel, said he pursued his dream to be a commissioned officer of the Army’s Reserve Force because he believed in the Army and wants to continue serving his constituents in the remaining years of his life.

He urged his colleagues in the municipal government and other local chief executives in Cebu to join the Army reserve as well.

Catarungan who said his heart is really for public service, started as Sangguniang Kabataan chairman during younger years until he worked in government offices since 1985.

He was assistant regional director of LTO-7 from 2008 to 2010 prior to his transfer to LTO-8 in Samar province.

Catarungan supports the government’s campaign in curbing armed insurgents.

Col. Raymundo Bañares, Jr., group commander of the 7th Regional Community Defense Group challenged all government elected and appointed officials to apply for commissionship in the reserve force.

The commissioning of government elected and appointed public officials is provided under Republic Act 7077 also known as the Reservist Act.

 Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is also commissioned in the reserve force with a rank of Lieutenant Colonel and is currently the first woman battalion commander of the 1st Cebu Ready Reserve Battalion under 7RCDG of the Army’s Reserve Command. (FREEMAN)