AFP 2025 convention for reservists and ARRAPI general assembly draw in historic 4,500 on-site , 48,000 online reservist participation

Makati City — Over 4,500 Philippine reservists gathered recently at a big Makati venue and another set of 48,000 more joined online, marking a historic and record-breaking milestone during the 2025 AFP National Reservist Convention and the ARRAPI 2nd General Membership Conference.

Jointly hosted by the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines Inc. (ARRAPI) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Force Development (OJ9), the convention was led by ARRAPI Chairman Col. Michael “Mikee” Romero and AFP OJ9 Chief Maj. Gen. Gerold G. Gagan, with Secretary of National Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. as guest of honor.

Held with the theme “Adapting to an Evolving Security Environment: Reservists at the Forefront of Cooperative Defense,” the event highlighted the expanding role of reservists in national defense, disaster response, and community resilience.

“There are moments in our nation’s history when ordinary Filipinos rise to do extraordinary things—when disasters strike and communities need help,” Romero said. “In those moments, help arrives not with fanfare, but with boots on the ground and hearts ready to serve. From Batanes to Sulu, our reservists stand ready to protect, respond, and help our people recover.”

Maj. Gen. Gagan described the convention as historic and record-breaking. He noted that the strong physical and virtual turnout reflects the growing professionalism and readiness of the reserve force. He emphasized that the scale of the participation reaffirms the reservists’ role as a critical pillar of national defense, disaster response, and community resilience.

The convention also had international participation from the United States National Guard, led by The Deputy Adjutant General of Hawaii, Maj. Gen. Philip Mallory, and The Adjutant General of Guam, Col. Karin Watson, accompanied by 30 U.S. National Guard members, underscoring strong defense cooperation and interoperability.

The event concluded with a renewed call for unity, readiness, and active citizen participation, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of Filipino reservists to serve the nation whenever and wherever they are needed.

The year 2025 is a solid year when Philippine reservists’ manifested anew their resolve and readiness to be where they’re most needed — at the thick of rescue and relief in calamity-stricken areas, pushing access for medical help at the farthest and remotest islands, returning to strife-ravaged areas to help people gain back their lives.

Rendering an outline of reservists’ service as national commitment, Colonel Romero led the assembly to a virtual yet heart-rending tour of the extent of reservists’ presence in communities that cried for immediate assistance.

“Moments when floods submerges entire towns, when earthquakes shatter regions, when fires destroy homes, and when strife displaced people from their homes, ARRAPI arrived,” stated Romero, a former House Deputy Speaker and chairman of the House committee on poverty alleviation.

With increased collaboration and calls for innovation, the formal rites included recognition of vital inputs and contributions of other sectors involving AJ9 Gen. Danny Dupiag and the 0J9 family, PPD Col. Glen Cabalquinto, XO Col Ronald Saragoza and Col. Rozelle Salvosa; Major Services Reserve Commands, AFRC Maj. Gen. Pablo Rustria, 2nd ARCEN Colonel Mark Yambing, Navy Captain Edwin Ello, and  former 0J9 and current Immigration Deputy Chief Gen.Joel Nacnac.

Philippine military and reserve leaders are joined by visiting US National Guard officials during the 2025 Philippine reservists national convention and ARRAPI general assembly. In photo, from left, are Maj. Gen. Ronald Jess Alcudia, Maj. Gen. Doroteo Jose Jalandoni, Bukidnon Rep. Laarni Roque, Maj. Gen. Gerold Gagan, Col. Mikee Romero, US Gen. Philip Mallory and US Col. Karin Watson.

Navy Reserve Command Maj. Gen. Doroteo Jalandoni,, Army Reserve Command Maj. Gen. Ronald Alcudia, AFP Reserve Command General Geminic Ramirez, and PAF Deputy Reserve Command Brig. Gen. Joselito Lopena, joined the morning session’s panel to update the  assembly of achievements and new thrusts in their respective areas.

Gains and issues covered continuous recruitment, training and capacitating reservists with increased roles for community and national security, collaborations with organizations with expertise in health, medical, IT and communications.

Efforts to transition community defense centers to becoming defense command  centers in view of the need to strengthen reservists’ roles in security management were also discussed.

Colonel Romero encouraged the existing roster of reservists to vigorously entice the enlistment of more recruits, spreading the responsibility of more citizens to fulfill duties in view of changes in the national and global security landscape.

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