Group prefers ‘voluntary reserve force’ over ROTC
THE Federation of Free Workers (FFW) on Friday called for a “voluntary reserve force” for national defense amid the West Philippine Sea dispute, saying its members are not in favor of a mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC).
“We are not convinced of a mandatory ROTC, but we are for a voluntary one — we hold that the hearts of Filipino volunteers are a stronger defense than those who are merely compelled,” FFW Vice President Jun Mendoza Ramirez said in a statement.
The labor group made the statement after they expressed their admiration for 51 personnel in the Senate who volunteered to serve in the Philippine Navy (PN) Reserve Force, in collaboration with the Naval Reserve Command (Navrescom).
The FFW lauded the volunteers’ decision to join the Navy as “both commendable and inspirational,” as it came “at a critical time when the need for robust national defense mechanisms cannot be overstated.”
“This initiative underscores the vital role that voluntary service plays in bolstering our nation’s security and fostering a sense of patriotic duty among Filipinos,” Ramirez stated.
“Many members of the youth, as well as workers, are ready to volunteer and join the reserve corps, and what the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should do is to invite them as citizen soldiers or give them information on how to be reservists,” he added in Filipino.
The labor group also said there are still challenges, which include the ROTC graduates not receiving or having no access to their serial numbers or even having outdated personal data sheets, or even having nothing at all from their community defense units.
‘Senate 51’ orientation
Last Wednesday (April 3) the Philippine Navy Reserve Command convened the Basic
Citizen Military Course (BCMC) for the 51 civilian personnel of the Senate of the Philippines who are aspiring to become part of the reserve force.
Naval Reserve Force Acting Civil Military Operation officer ENS Reicherr Javier said the 51 Senate personnel will be part of the BCMC Class 10-2024, a pre-training program under the naval reserve force.
Navrescom commander, Maj. Gen. Joseph Ferrous Cuison, oversaw the convening ceremony that marked a milestone in the collaborative ties between the Philippine Navy and the House of Congress of the Philippines.
Prior to the official inclusion of the 51 Senate employees to the basic training, the PN organized a three-day orientation in collaboration with Sen. Robinhood Padilla’s office and the Senate External and Legislative Affairs office.
ENS Javier said that the 51 Senate reservist trainees will undergo 30-day training during weekends at the Marine Base in Ternate, Cavite.
The Senate trainees will also undergo basic military training that includes proper handling of firearms and other vital elements that the reservists possess.
Their graduation will be conducted parallel to the annual historic observance of Philippine Independence Day on June 12.
Currently, AFP has 741,937 total reserves, 360,000 of them are combined reserves, 90,000 are in ready reserve status, and 628,424 are on standby reserve status.
Padilla, who spearheaded the BCMC recruitment program, stressed the need for such training in order to be ready for any unforeseen situation, “not just possible war.”
The senator also articulated his profound appreciation for the rigorous training that Senate personnel would undergo and emphasized its vital role in disaster response and emergency management, as well as fostering a culture of security awareness within their workplace.