Reservists: Quiet guardians of national defense

Every September, National Reservist Week gives us a chance to pause, reflect, and recognize a quiet yet indispensable force that safeguards our nation: the reservists of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Often, they stand outside the limelight, far from the public's daily consciousness. Yet, during times of crisis-whether national security challenges or natural disasters-it is the reservists who embody the essence of citizen-soldiers: ordinary men and women ready to serve when duty calls.

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Service and strategy

The Affiliated Reserve Unit (ARU) Summit 2025, held by the National Capital Region Regional Community Defense Group (NCRRCDG), under the leadership of Colonel Rey Ga, underscored how strategic the reservist program has become in strengthening the country's defense posture. The presence of institutions such as ARMSCOR, MMDA, Skyway O&M, PNR, and PT&T highlighted a forward-looking vision: reservist integration is not just about manpower, but about merging capabilities from government, private sector, and civilian stakeholders into a cohesive defense and disasterresponse ecosystem.

This synergy ensures that the Philippine Army Affiliated Reserve Unit (PAARU) Program continues to evolve as a genuine force multiplier. The program is anchored in Republic

In the end, the reservists stand as the living embodiment of the AFP's core values: Honor, Duty, and Service. They are the quiet guardians of peace and the first responders in crisis.

Act 7077, which legally affirms the role of reservists as a component of the AFP-an enduring reminder that national defense is not the exclusive domain of career soldiers, but of the Filipino people themselves.