PH Army encourages info officers: Join reserve command
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Be a Reservist. This is the invitation from Major Vincent S. Cabañas of the Philippine Army, as he encouraged information officers (IOs) in the Dinagat Islands to join the Reserve Command (ResCom) group of the Philippine Army (PA).
“Let us analyze our history. Before World War II, the Japanese posed as abaca farmers in the country. So when the war broke out, the Japanese abaca farmers were already wearing war uniforms and strongly stationed in the country,” Major Cabañas said.
According to the officer, the Dinagat Islands occupy a strategic location. Before Douglas MacArthur came to the country during WWII to rescue the Philippines from Japanese invasion, an advance landing was made by American liberation forces in Loreto, Dinagat Islands.
He added, “If you face Surigao near Panaon Strait and swim to the west, you will reach the West Philippine Sea. If you swim to the east, you will arrive in America.”
“Let us not allow history to repeat itself. In times of peace, we always prepare for war. I encouraged the IOs to help the country strengthen its civilian defense and join the Reserve Command of the Philippine Army,” he told the over 100 IOs coming from the municipalities and barangays in the Province of Dinagat Islands, during the Provincial IO Conference on July 23.
Meanwhile, Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr. was recently recognized by the Philippine Army as no. Six are in the country’s ‘Top 10 Distinguished Filipino Civilian Reservists,’ inspiring the public information officers in the province.
He completed the Civil-Military Operations Officer Correspondence Course (CMOOCC) Class 34-2026 at the Civil-Military Operations School, Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City, from May 25 to August 21. He achieved a 95.40 percent final general average while earning the Commander, Civil Military Operations Regiment (CMOR) Academic Award – a remarkable testament to his exceptional leadership, intellectual rigor, and unwavering commitment to the Philippine Army and the nation.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command (AFPRESCOM) is the major support command in the country that is tasked with the management, organization, and procurement of the country’s military reserve force, with primary missions in national defense, disaster response, and community support.
It has three reserve components, namely the Philippine Army Reserve Command, the Philippine Navy Reserve Command, and the Philippine Air Force Reserve Command. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands/Photo courtesy: Dinagat Islands PIO)