Senate personnel begin training as naval reservists

Senate of the Philippines. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 51 Senate personnel began its training as Philippine Navy reservists, authorities said on Thursday.

The Naval Reserve Command (Navrescom) convened the Basic Citizen Military Course held on Wednesday at the Senate Building in Pasay City.

READ: ‘West PH Sea dispute may be behind surge in naval force reservists’

Navrescom Commander Major General Joseph Ferrous Cuison oversaw the convening ceremony.

Senator Robinhood Padilla also graced the ceremony as one of the principal attendees.

Padilla highlighted the importance of reservists, especially in responding to calamities.

READ: Philippines to deploy over 100 naval reservists to Batanes

“It would be good if we were trained and knew what to do in an emergency,” Padilla said in Filipino during his speech.

“We must not be confused; instead, we all have roles to play in responding to a calamity,” he added.

Cusion previously said the Navy saw the emergence of reserve volunteers, attributing it with the West Philippine Sea scenario.

“Maybe they are aware of the news on the West Philippine Sea, that could be one of the factors,” Cusion said in September last year.