QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino on Saturday urged the 107,000-strong reservists in the country’s different branches of the military to play an active role in defending and safeguarding the Philippines’ sovereignty amid political tensions and challenges in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In addressing the celebration of the 45th Reservist Week at Camp Aguinaldo, Tolentino emphasized the “importance of robust and ready reserve that cannot be overstated” as the country’s role in the Indo-Pacific becomes “strategic” in the “complex security environment.”
Tolentino, an active member of the country’s military reserve force—with the rank of Brigadier General—lauded the reservists’ roles as professionals building the nation as well as defenders and humanitarian responders.
“The reserve force is a symbol, a testament to every Filipino, and serves and safeguards our sovereignty,” he said.
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Tolentino further said that the reserve force offers assurance that the Filipino people stand ready in times of crisis.
“As we face further uncertainties in the region, it becomes imperative that we continue to strengthen capabilities, training, and support for our reservists,” he added.
Tolentino shared that as a reservist himself, he authored two proposed laws—Maritime Zones Law and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law—as contributions to strengthen the Philippines’ claim over the territorial waters, endowments, and entitlements around the country based on international laws.
“These laws have long-lasting effects on our sovereignty,” he said.
Tolentino believes that the reserve force must be concerned about and ready for various threats to the nation’s security, including conventional and non-conventional ones like cyber attacks, terrorism, and human trafficking.
He acknowledged that skilled reservists in technology, law, medicine, engineering, and other expertise are very important in the modern defense concept that enhances the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) capabilities.
“Let us also be reminded that our national defense is not only about weapons and strategy, but it is also about our nation’s collective consciousness to stand and defend our sovereignty and freedom,” he said.