MANILA, Philippines — Saluting the spirit of volunteerism among young Filipinos, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año has expressed optimism over the return of the mandatory Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program for Grades 11 and 12 students.
Reservists play a vital role in the military as a reserve force whose members are motivated by their desire to serve their country, according to Año.
“The ROTC is one of the major sources of the AFP’s Reserve Force,” Año said during the awarding of outstanding reservists and reserve units in the country in celebration of National Reservists Week at the AFP grandstand at Camp Aguinaldo over the weekened.
“The approval of President Duterte of the restoration of the ROTC for Grades 11 and 12 in public and private schools nationwide is very much invigorating as this will help proliferate and build up the AFP’s Reserve Force,” he added.
Año said the AFP recognizes and commends the spirit of volunteerism, patriotism and dedication that reservists have.
“The participation of some members to the rear of the Marawi battleground is worthy of emulation,” he said, referring to some reservists who are helping regular military officers and men in the fight against the Maute group.
Earlier this year, Duterte approved the revival of the ROTC program among Grades 11 and 12 and asked Congress to pass a law on it.
At present, the AFP has about 385,116 Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine reservists and 1,520,704 ROTC cadets.
During the awarding ceremony attended by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Salvador Mison Jr. on Saturday, the military handed awards to Reserve Navy Commander Alexander Abilo, the AFP Reservist of the Year for Field Grade Level; Reserve Air Force Lieutenant Albert Corres, AFP Reservist of the Year for Company Grade Level; and Reserve Navy PO3 Jocelyn Nuevo, AFP Enlisted Reservist of the Year.