FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. cited the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army’s campaign dubbed as Kaugnay ang Laang Kawal: An Interoperable Force of 7ID on the 44th National Reservist Week Celebration with the theme: “AFP Reserve Force: Moving towards Resilient Force Posture” at Lapu-lapu Grandstand, AFP Headquarters, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on September 30, Saturday.
Said 7ID’s effort was in line with the intent of the Commander to strengthen the interoperability of the regular and reserve force in its Area of Responsibility by mirroring the skills training and capacity enhancement programs of the regular with the reserve force as part of its Territorial Defense Operations.
“Noong huling dalaw ko sa 7ID, this was one of the accomplishments of the 7ID led by its Commander na si MGen. Costelo, sa ating Assistant Division Commander for RRA na si Col. Pascua, at sa lahat ng bumubuo ng staff ng 7ID. I am very happy dahil maganda ang naging direksyon ng ating reserve force,” Gen. Brawner said.
During the 44th National Reservist Week Celebration culminating program, the 7ID regular and reservist singers along with All Star Aurora performed the Kaugnay ang Laang Kawal theme song/jingle at Lapu-lapu Grandstand as one of the highlights of the program.
Department of National Defense Secretary, Gilberto Teodoro who served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the program said that the DND is in the process of re-deciding a reserve force based on the means of the times and not based on all dated paradigms or plans that may not be valid anymore.
“We have asked J9, supervised by Undersecretary Lorenzo and Assistant Secretary Robinson here to decide on future reserve force based on two things. One is to complement the regular force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and to have surfaced the civilian business process continuity so that replication of function, functional replication, and not duplication of functions. Second, in tapping the special skills that every one of you brings to our service, technical skills, lawyering skills, medical skills, and the like,” Teodoro said.
Meanwhile, Gen. Brawner, in his speech, expressed his deep appreciation to all AFP Reservists for their dedication to protecting the people and securing the country.
“You have been instrumental in responding to national disasters, providing humanitarian assistance, and supporting internal security operations and territorial defense operations. Your surreal performance stands as a testament to your dedication and resolve in the name of duty as a force ahead in our mission to safeguard our nation and our people. Furthermore, start with my guidance as surging sun to expedite the reserved force development it is most to have witnessed the valid capability of the AFP reserve force,” Gen. Brawner said.
Among those who attended the culminating activity were Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, J9, AFP, MGen. Joel Alejandro S. Nacnac; top key Reservists Officers of AFP; Col. Harold Anthony F. Pascua MNSA (INF) PA, ADC for RRA, 7ID; and celebrity reservists from the three branches of the Armed Forces.
