Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday said he is ready to take on the “shared responsibility” of protecting the country’s sovereignty and democracy after achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Philippine Army reserve force.
Zubiri was donned with the rank by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr., a former chief of the PA, in a simple ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
“It is a great honor to finally come to the culmination of that partnership, as I now take on the responsibility of being a reserve Lieutenant Colonel of the Army, prepared to defend the country not only in the halls of the Senate but also out in our war rooms and on the field, alongside you all,” Zubiri said in his speech.
“It is not a responsibility I take lightly. I respect that as men and women of the Army, you have devoted yourselves entirely to the defense of the nation. Your skills, judgment and dedication are beyond compare, and no reservist can ever hope to measure up to you.”
The Senate President believes that any good patriot should be prepared to defend the nation when called upon, and encouraged Filipinos to embody the spirit of heroism and defend the nation’s freedom and peace.
Zubiri has been vocal in criticizing China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, while pushing for the military’s modernization and budget increase.
He said his decision to join the PA reserve force is to prove that senators are not just “armchair warriors,” but are also committed to helping the government and the AFP in any eventuality, including man-made or natural calamities.
Commitment
Brawner, meanwhile, said the lawmaker’s move is a clear manifestation of his commitment to help defend the nation.
“He is not only content with supporting the defense of our country from the sidelines, not from the halls of the Senate, and not only through the support of financial packages for the AFP. For him, this is not enough. For him, he has to don the uniform himself, go through the training and offer his life,” he said.
Section 44 of Republic Act 7077 or the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act allows elected officials and presidential appointees to be commissioned in the Reserve Force, subject to the military’s existing rules and regulations. (PNA)
Photo credit: Facebook/migzzubiri
