Philippine Army Reserve Command

The Reserve Command (RESCOM; Filipino: Pangasiwaan ng Panlaáng Kawal) is a major support command of the Philippine Army. It was created for the sole purpose of reserve force management, organization and Government Arsenal procurement.

Reserve Command, Philippine Army
Pangasiwaan ng Panlaáng Kawal, Hukbóng Katihan ng Pilipinas
Unit seal of the Reserve Command, Philippine Army
ActiveSeptember 1, 1977 – February 26, 1986
May 12, 1992 – present
Country Philippines
TypeArmy reserve force
RoleConventional and Unconventional Warfare, Anti-Guerrilla Operations, Combat Support & Service Support, Force Multiplier, Training, Disaster Rescue & Relief, and Community Service
Size120,000
Part of Philippine Army
Garrison/HQCamp General Mariano Riego de Dios,
Tanza, Cavite
Nickname(s)ARESCOM, RESCOM, PA
Motto(s)Committed citizen army builder
Una compromiso constructor de un ejercito ciudadano
AnniversariesMay 12
Decorations
Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief President Bongbong Marcos
Secretary of National Defense Senior Undersecretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. (OIC)
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines GEN Andres C. Centino, PA
Commanding General of the Philippine Army LTGEN Romeo S. Brawner Jr., PA
Commander MGEN Romulo A. Manuel, PA
Insignia
Patch

History
Facade of the Headquarters Building of the Army Reserve Command at Tanza, Cavite.

Philippine Commonwealth

By 1935, the Philippine Commonwealth, under the leadership of President Manuel Luis Quezon enacted the very first legislature of his government. Commonwealth Act Nr. 01 ensured that Philippines will be prepared to thwart off any invasion or aggression of some sort by any nation, or entity and thus called upon its citizens to provide manpower to then fledgling Philippine Army. The National Defense Act of 1935 heralded the creation of what would be the Armed Forces of the Philippines and very first documented account of voluntary citizen enlistment.[1][2]

World War II
Main article: Hunters ROTC

Reservists fought hard during the 1940s and saw action on almost all parts of the country in World War II. Regular and reserve members of then Philippine Army/Philippine Army Air Corps (forerunner of the Phil Air Force), the Philippine Constabulary, and the Philippine Offshore Patrol (what would become the Phil Navy later on.) were incorporated with US units and rallied under the banner of the USAFFE.[3]

A ragtag group of former ROTC Cadets, Guerilla Fighters and draftees of the Philippine Army Reserve Force formed units among themselves and fought gallantly against the Japanese invaders. Collectively, they were known as the Hunters ROTC Unit.[4]

Post World War II

Post WWII saw the re-organization of the AFP and the further need to rebuild the defense of the nation. Reserve units were then organized to Battalion Combat Teams with the sole purpose of force augmentation in the eventuality that another world war ensues.[2]

On September 1, 1977, the Army Reserve Command was activated pursuant to General Orders No. 250 of the Philippine Army. Army officers were tasked to organized, train, and manage a reserve force that will equate or surpass the current strength of its regular forces.[3]

1986 EDSA Revolution

By 1986, after the EDSA Revolution, the unit was shortly deactivated since the AFP at that time was undergoing retraining and re-organization.

Birth of the modern reserve force

1991 saw the birth of a new reserve force when Republic Act 7077 (Reservists Act of 1991) was signed into law on July 1, 1991. This new legislation directed the AFP to organize and create units with the sole purpose of reservists management.[2]

On May 12, 1992, the Reserve Command, Philippine Army, was again reactivated pursuant to HPA General Orders No. 392 and was later again renamed as the Army Reserve Command on October 1, 1999 (HPA GO Nr 1300) and was given its marching orders to maintain, administer, develop, train, and organize reservists units to help enhance and sustain National Security and Development.[3]

Future of the reserve force

In the 21st century, the unit is modernizing itself pursuant to the directives of Headquarters, Philippine Army's transformation roadmap to 2028.[5][6]

Commonwealth Act 1
Main article: National Defense Act of 1935

Commonwealth Act No. 1, particularly Section II, cites the responsibility of each and every citizen of for the defense of the nation. Citizens may be mobilized in the event the national government declares an act of war or emergency.[7]

[8]

Republic Act 7077

Republic Act No. 7077,[9] also known as the Citizen's Armed Force Act or Reservist Law of 1991, is an act passed in to law by the joint house of representatives which clearly provides the policies and procedures in the creation and administration of reservists and reserve units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Republic Act 9163
Main article: National Service Training Program

Republic Act No. 9163,[10] also known as the National Service Training Program Act or National Service Law of 2001, defines the policies and procedures in administration/training of ROTC Units in relation to the other two components, Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and Literacy Training Service (LTS), of the National Service Training Program (NSTP).

Role of women in the reserve force

Section 65, Article X, of RA 7077 clearly defines the right and duty of every able bodied female citizen of the Republic of the Philippines to serve in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Standards for acceptance of female reservists shall likewise be kept standard like their male counterparts with a few adjustments due to physiological differences with the latter.[11]

Commissioned officers
  • COL SARA ZIMMERMAN DUTERTE-CARPIO GSC (RES) PA - current Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines [12][13]
  • COL MARGARITA R COJUANGO MNSA (RES) PA - former Governor; Tarlac, former president; Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC)[14]
  • COL ENRICO T YUZON GSC (RES) PA - Bataan Provincial Engineer
  • LTC MARLENE RUTH S SANCHEZ MNSA (RES) PA - Deputy Executive Director; NCCA[15]
  • LTC MARLENE AGABAS (RES) PA - Pangasinan 3rd District Representative
  • LTC MARY RUBY M PALMA (RES) PA - Department Head; Quezon City Gender and Development Resource and Coordinating Office
  • LTC REMELYN RECOTER (RES) PA - Regional Director, Department of Agriculture Regional Office 6[16]
  • LTC GWENDOLYN P GARCIA (RES) PA - Former Cebu Governor[17]
  • LTC ROSALINDA D BALDOZ MNSA (RES) PA - DOLE Secretary[18]

Non-commissioned officers

Training

Training is the major task handled by RESCOM. Its primary arms are the university/college-based Department of Military Science and Tactics-administered mandatory basic and the optional advanced Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC);[21] and the territorial unit-administered Basic Citizen's Military Training (BCMT).

Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC)
Main article: Reserve Officers' Training Corps (Philippines)
A soldier of the Special Operations Command of the Philippine Army instructs an ROTC cadet officer on the finer points of the M16 rifle

Basic ROTC is the only component required by a tertiary (college) level student to have completed as requirement for completion of the National Service Training Program. Military subjects are provided similar to how military instructions are conducted in the service academies and graduates are automatically enlisted in the reserve force of the particular service branch (Army) administering the training. Advance ROTC is purely voluntary in nature and that Advance ROTC Cadets are provided a modest allowance after passing the requirements for their respective Advance ROTC Examination (PAARE). Completion of Advance ROTC is considered a graduate qualification in Military Science, and such graduates who subsequently progress to the Probationary Officer Training Course (POTC)[22] are commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants.[21]

Other than time-in-grade and merit promotions, rank adjustments are authorised depending on civilian qualifications, as well as their reciprocity to the operating environment.[23]

Basic Citizen's Military Training (BCMT)
A Sergeant from the Scout Ranger Regiment gives instructions on military rappelling to SBCMT CL45-11 of the 1302nd Community Defense Center.

Basic Citizen's Military Training (BCMT) is a military training course conducted by the Philippine Army through the Army Reserve Command. It is an entry level training course undertaken by Filipino Citizens wanting to enlist in the reserve force.

BCMT instruction is administered by a joint training pool of military instructors from both regular and reserve forces and is usually conducted inside any of the Philippine Army's training camps. Guest instructors are requested from other government agencies and non-government organizations (NGO) for specialized instructions.

Special Basic Citizen's Military Training (SBCMT) is a special course conducted by the Philippine Army in response to a request from a Local Government Unit (LGU). Funding is usually provided for by the requesting agency as compared to regular BCMT which receives funding from the Army.

Types of reservists

There are currently three types of reservists in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Force:[11][24]

Categorization of reservists and reserve units

Section 12, Article 5, of Republic Act 7077 breaks down and categorizes reservists and their units based on various criteria cited by this law.[11]

  • First Category Reservists - Able bodied reservists aged eighteen years of age up to thirty five years of age, inclusive.
  • Second Category Reservists - Able bodied reservists aged thirty six years of age up to fifty one years of age, inclusive.
  • Third Category Reservists - All able bodied reservists aged above fifty years of age.

Classification of reservists and reserve units

Section 13, Article 5, of Republic Act 7077 clearly cites the classification of reservists based on their operational readiness for immediate deployment or mobilization.[11]

  • Ready Reserve - physically fit and tactically current reservist personnel that are always on constant alert and training; ready to mobilize once a mobilization order has been given.
  • Standby Reserve - reservist personnel who do not maintain currency in specialization qualifications but the base for expansion, support and augmentation to the Ready Reserve Force as needed.
  • Retired Reserve - composed of citizens who are qualified for retirement either by length of service or age.

Lineage of commanding officers

Commanders of RESCOM are drawn from both the ranks of Called To Active Duty (CAD) Reserve Officers and Regular Army Officers that graduated from either Officer Candidate School (OCS) and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).[25]

  • Col Anthony Zamora (GSC) PA Sep 1, 77 - 1986
  • Col Ernesto H Luis MNSA (GSC) PA Jul 1, 92 - Jul 1, 95
  • BGen Franklin C Acosta AFP Jul 1, 95 - Dec 10, 97
  • BGen Antonio J Saldua AFP Dec 10, 97 - 30 Nov 00
  • Col Edmund G Pacada (GSC) PA 30 Nov 00 - Jun 16, 2
  • Col Bernard Basona (GSC) PA Jun 16, 2 - Apr 25, 2
  • BGen Marcial A Collao Jr AFP Apr 25, 2 - Dec 9, 2
  • BGen Jeffer Francia AFP Dec 9, 2 - Oct 16, 3
  • BGen Dionisio A Torina AFP Oct 16, 3 - Jul 1, 4
  • Col Ibarra P Gutierrez INF (GSC) PA Jul 1, 4 - Aug 24, 5
  • BGen Emmanuel S Cayton AFP Aug 24, 5 - Dec 18, 6
  • BGen Luini C Mirar AFP Dec 18, 6 - May 26, 8
  • BGen Danilo M Garcia AFP May 26 March 8 - 7, 2010
  • BGen Joel P Ibañez AFP March 7, 2010 - March 10, 2011
  • BGen Alex N Albano AFP[26] March 10, 2011 – October 19, 2013
  • BGen Alexis D Tamondong AFP[27] October 19, 2013 -Nov 13, 2014
  • BGen Paolo Leo Ma G Miciano AFP[28] November 13, 2014, to February 2, 2016
  • BGen Pascual Luis D Bedia AFP February 2, 2016 - September 16, 2016
  • MGen Bernie S Langub PA September 16, 2016 - March 26, 2020
  • MGen Peale Jon L Bondoc PA March 26, 2020, to July 10, 2021

Organization

RESCOM's unit are divided into several base units, regionally into 15 Community Defense Groups, having three or more Community Defense Centers incorporated into them, and nine Reserve Infantry Divisions. Army ROTC Management falls under their respective RCDGs.[29]

Base units
  • Headquarters & Headquarters Service Battalion
  • ARESCOM Training School
  • ARESCOM Reservist Personnel Management Center (Provisional)

Line units[30]
  • 1st Regional Community Defense Group (Camp Lt Tito B Abat, Manaoag, Pangasinan)
  • 2nd Regional Community Defense Group (Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz Annex, Soyung, Echague, Isabela)
  • 3rd Regional Community Defense Group (Camp Gen Servillano T Aquino, San Miguel, Tarlac City)
  • 4th Regional Community Defense Group (Camp Gen Macario Sakay, Los Baños, Laguna)
  • 5th Regional Community Defense Group (Camp Gen Simeón A Ola, Legazpi City, Albay)
  • 6th Regional Community Defense Group (Camp Gen Adriano Hernández, Dingle, Iloilo City)
  • 7th Regional Community Defense Group (Camp Lapu-lapu, Cebu City)
  • 8th Regional Community Defense Group (Camp Downes, Ormoc, Leyte)
  • 9th Regional Community Defense Group (Kuta Dao, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur)
  • 10th Regional Community Defense Group (Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City)
  • 11th Regional Community Defense Group (Camp San Gabriel, Mintal Tugbok District, Davao City)
  • 12th Regional Community Defense Group (Camp Siongco, Awang, DOS, Maguindanao)
  • National Capital Region Regional Community Defense Group (Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City)
  • 14th [CAR] Regional Community Defense Group
  • 15th [CARAGA] Regional Community Defense Group (Camp Bancasi, Butuan)

Ready Reserve Infantry divisions[30]

Ready Reserve Light Armor divisions
  • Light Armor (Ready Reserve) Division, PA (Cp Riego De Dios, Tanza, Cavite)[33]

Standby Reserve Infantry divisions[30]
  • 11th Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (Cp Tito Abat, Manaoag, Pangasinan)
  • 21st Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (Cp Melchor Dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela)
  • 31st Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (Cp Servillano Aquino, Luisita, Tarlac)
  • 41st Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (Cp Eldridge, Los Baños, Laguna)
  • 51st Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (Cp Simeon Ola, Legazpi City, Albay)
  • 61st Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (Cp Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo)
  • 71st Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (Cp Lapu-lapu, Lahug, Cebu City)
  • 81st Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (Cp Downes, Ormoc City)
  • 91st Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (Cp Dau, Pagadian City)
  • 101st Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (Cp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City)
  • 111th Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (Cp San Gabriel, Davao City)
  • 121st Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (PC Hill, Cotabato City)
  • 131st Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (Fort Andrés Bonifacio, Metro Manila)
  • 141st Infantry (Standby Reserve) Division, PA (CARAGA Region)

Reserve regiments[30]
  • Artillery (Ready Reserve) Regiment, PA (Fort Andrés Bonifacio, Metro Manila)[34]

Deactivated units

The Following Divisions were subsequently de-activated due to the activation of the two Regular Infantry Division with the laters divisional numerical designation.

  • 9th Infantry (Ready Reserve) Division, PA (Makati)[35]
  • 3rd Infantry (Ready Reserve) Division, PA (Cebu City)[36][37]

Reserve Brigade[30]
  • 1502nd Infantry (Ready Reserve) Brigade, PA (Quezon City)[38]

Awards and decorations

Campaign streamers
Award Streamer Streamer Name Operation Date Awarded Reference
Presidential Unit Citation BadgeSAR/DRR Ops, TS Ketsana & TS ParmaFebruary 4, 2010General Orders No. 112, GHQ-AFP, dtd Feb 4 '10
Presidential Unit Citation BadgeGeneral Elections, PhilippinesJuly 1, 2010General Orders No. 641, GHQ-AFP, dtd July 1 '10

Badges
Military Badge Badge Name Operation Date Awarded Reference
AFP Election Duty BadgeGeneral Elections, PhilippinesMay 21, 2010General Orders No. 513, GHQ-AFP, dtd May 21 '10
  • The Army Reserve Command
  • TSg Virgilio S Ferrer II (Res) PA; 20IB(RR) Sergeant Major, briefs the personnel assigned for deployment during Security Operations at Holy Cross Memorial Park, Quezon City (Undas 2009).
    TSg Virgilio S Ferrer II (Res) PA; 20IB(RR) Sergeant Major, briefs the personnel assigned for deployment during Security Operations at Holy Cross Memorial Park, Quezon City (Undas 2009).
  • Reservists from the HHC, 1502IBDE(RR) and 20IB(RR) manned the Tactical Command Post at the Holy Cross Memorial Park in San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City during (Undas 2010) Security Operations.
    Reservists from the HHC, 1502IBDE(RR) and 20IB(RR) manned the Tactical Command Post at the Holy Cross Memorial Park in San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City during (Undas 2010) Security Operations.
  • Reservists provide security and assist medical personnel during the conduct of Medical and Dental Civic-Action Program (MEDCAP) at Bgy Nagkaisang Nayon, QC.
    Reservists provide security and assist medical personnel during the conduct of Medical and Dental Civic-Action Program (MEDCAP) at Bgy Nagkaisang Nayon, QC.
  • Army Reservists from the 20IB(RR) conduct Clean-up Drive (CMO) at Bgy Old Capitol Site, QC.
    Army Reservists from the 20IB(RR) conduct Clean-up Drive (CMO) at Bgy Old Capitol Site, QC.
  • QC Reservists conduct rescue operations at Bgy Bagong Silangan, QC during the height of torrential rains brought by Southwest Monsoon in June 2011.
    QC Reservists conduct rescue operations at Bgy Bagong Silangan, QC during the height of torrential rains brought by Southwest Monsoon in June 2011.

See also

References
  1. National Defense Act of 1935
  2. Conscription in the Philippines
  3. "ARESCOM - History". Archived from the original on February 28, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  4. Hunters ROTC
  5. "ATR « Army Transformation Roadmap 2028". Atr2028.wordpress.com. April 29, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  6. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 27, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "C.A. No. 1". Lawphil.net. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  8. RA 7077
  9. "R.A. 7077". Lawphil.net. June 27, 1991. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  10. "R.A. 9163". Lawphil.net. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  11. "ARESCOM - Legal Mandate". Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  12. "News". Archived from the original on March 25, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  13. 1st Metro Davao Infantry Battalion (Ready Reserve)
  14. Tingting Cojuangco#Career
  15. "The Secretariat". Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  16. "h". Balita.ph. January 17, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  17. "Gwen 'first woman battalion commander' | Inquirer News". July 14, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  18. "Cabinet Profiles". pcoo.gov.ph. Archived from the original on October 24, 2010.
  19. Nene Tamayo
  20. "UP ROTC Female Cadet Officers | University of the Philippines – Reserve Officers' Training Corps". Archived from the original on March 14, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  21. Reserve Officers' Training Corps (Philippines)
  22. "PROBATIONARY OFFICERS TRAINING COURSE CLASS 22-06". Potc22.tripod.com. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  23. "ARESCOM - Program and Activities". Archived from the original on February 28, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  24. "ARESCOM - What's New". Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  25. "ARESCOM - Command Headquarters". Archived from the original on November 20, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  26. "usnewslasvegas.com". usnewslasvegas.com. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  27. "Zamboanga Times - YouTube". Zambotimes.com. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  28. "Leadership, Friendship and Service | ARESCOM NCRRCDG". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  29. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  30. "Reserve Units - Philippines Defense Forces Forum". S3.zetaboards.com. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  31. 15th Infantry Division (Philippines)
  32. 22nd Infantry Division (Philippines)
  33. Provisional unit for fill-out as the Philippine Army expands its components.
  34. Currently filled out by personnel from the 201IB(RR), 1502IBde, 15ID(RR).
  35. 9th Infantry Division (Philippines)
  36. 3rd Infantry Division (Philippines)
  37. 3ID(RR) was downgraded to 3rd Infantry Battalion (Ready Reserve), PA
  38. 1502nd Infantry Brigade (Philippines)

Bibliography
  • Official Site ARESCOM
  • The Training Committee, Military Science 21 ROTC Manual, 2001, NCRRCDG, ARESCOM.
  • The Philippine Army Public Affairs Office, The Philippine Army: First 100 Years, 1997, OTAPA.
  • Pobre, Cesar P. (2006). History of the Armed Forces of the Filipino People. New Day Publishers.ISBN 9711010410.
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