Seven-hundred reservists were inducted in a ceremony in Basco, Batanes by the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines recently.
The ceremony was led by ARRAPI Chairman Lt. Col. Michael L. Romero and the ARRAPI Board of Trustees – Lt. Col. Vladimir Mata, Lt. Col. Mel Agpaoa, Lt. Col. Joy Torres, Commander Peter Negrido, Lt. Col. Floreto Solano, Lt. Col. Bonggat, and Col. Yay Lacson-Hizon.
“ARRAPI’s mission is to organize, unify, and empower our reservists nationwide,” Romero said. “Batanes has shown the country what it truly means when public servants and ordinary citizens come together in the name of service and patriotism.”
ARRAPI is a national organization with the mission to recruit, organize, and mobilize reservists across the Philippines.
RESERVE Lt. Col. Michael Romero (sixth from left) leads an induction of reservists in Batanes. (Contributed photo)
Backed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), ARRAPI has rapidly expanded to over 5,000 active reservists, playing key roles in national defense, disaster response, humanitarian assistance, and civil-military operations.
Batanes Governor-elect Ronald “Jun” Aguto took his oath as a Philippine Air Force reservist.
He affirmed his readiness to serve not only as an elected leader but also as a citizen-soldier.
“I am proud to take this oath with my fellow Ivatans. Batanes will be a province that leads in peace, preparedness, and patriotism.”
Outgoing Gov. Marilou Cayco, a commissioned Philippine Navy reservist, also joined ARRAPI, underscoring her continued commitment to public service beyond her term.
“Though my term as governor ends, my duty to serve remains. Joining ARRAPI allows me to continue giving back to the country as a proud reservist,” Cayco said.
Senior AFP leadership backed the reservists, including AFP acting OJ9 Major Gen. Danilo Dupiag, AFP OJ9 ODD Chief Capt. Liberty Gamueta, Nolcom U9 Col. Belle Manambao, and 2nd Air Force Reserve Center commander Col. Mark Yambing.
The reservists comprised of government employees, educators, barangay officials, youth leaders, and professionals will now serve under ARRAPI in close coordination with the AFP Reserve Command, contributing to community defense, resilience-building, and humanitarian outreach.