Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Wednesday took his oath as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Reserve Force of the Philippine Army (PA).

PA chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana conferred the rank on Velasco and administered the oath-taking during a ceremony held at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.

“This ceremony is a clear recognition of both personal achievement and commitment to duty. This ceremony rings of honor, and I am all the more humbled, given the present circumstances,” Velasco said.

Velasco commended the PA for its great contributions to society, especially in the wake of recent strong typhoons and the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.

He also hailed the PA as the country’s last line of defense in the conduct of support to “win the peace” and help the nation create an environment conducive for sustainable development, as well as just and lasting peace.

“The Army has done its best even when equipped with limited resources and is often faced with situations that are seemingly impossible to overcome,” Velasco said.

Velasco said Congress will provide full support in any of the PA’s endeavors.

“If there is one thing that we truly hold in common – it is our desire for genuine peace in our country to prevail. Together, let us continue to help preserve that peace for all Filipinos,” he said. (PNA)