Padilla on AFP reservist training: Saving lives should be the priority

Senator Robinhood Padilla believes that saving lives should be prioritized in the training of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reservists.

Padilla stressed this on Monday, April 15, during the Basic Citizen Military Course at the Senate, where actor Enrico Raphael "Rocco" Nacino was the inspirational speaker.

Padilla said the nation needs more members of the AFP Nurse Corps like Nacino in order to respond to calamities and unexpected incidents, especially with conflicts erupting in many parts of the globe.

"Kailangan natin ng Nurse Corps sapagka’t pag may nangyaring kalamidad o di inaasahang gulo, kailangan natin ng mga nurse corps, ng alam ang gagawin pag emergency (We need the Nurse Corps because in case there are calamities or unexpected incidents, they would know how to respond)," he said.

"Meron kaya tayong ganyan karaming anti-missile, anti-aircraft at anti-drone? [Pero] kung lahat matuto tayo ng emergency services yan na lang muna kasi wala tayong maipagmamalaki sa weapon (Do we have capabilities against missiles, aircraft and drones? We don't yet, so we need to learn emergency services for now)," he added.

In his inspirational talk, Nacino - a 2nd Lieutenant in the Nurse Corps of the AFP Reserve Command's Civil Military Affair Brigade - stressed the importance of helping fellow Filipinos in times of need. 

Nacino said he started his BCMC training in 2016 to prepare for his role in the adaptation of the Korean series "Descendants of the Sun".

Meanwhile, Padilla says he hopes the bill for a mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) will gain traction in the Senate, and that it is much needed now.

"Sana ma-encourage ang kapatid kong senador na ipasa ang mandatory ROTC. Sana maintindihan. Alam kong naintindihan nila. Alam kong nakukuha niya point namin (I hope our fellow senators will be encouraged to pass the bill on the mandatory ROTC. I know they understand our point)," he said.