48 graduate from basic citizen military course, making them new reservists

Reservists in the Armed Forces — File photo from LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines — Forty Senate employees and eight other individuals graduated on Tuesday from the Basic Citizen Military Course (BCMC), making them official reservists of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Senator Robin Padilla attended the graduation.

The senator is a reservist with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

According to Padilla, the new reservists, after undergoing 20 days of rigorous training, are now qualified to serve.

He urged the new reservists to use their newly earned ranks as a “symbol and motivation” to influence the youth so that they would contribute to the security of the country.

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Philippine Navy Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. spoke during the ceremony.

“Mahalaga ang papel ng mga reservist sa ating pambansang seguridad,” he said.

(Reservists play an important role in securing our national security.)

“Sa panahon ng mga sakuna, kaguluhan, krisis at iba pang hamon, ang inyong presensya at kahandaan ay nagbibigay ng dagdag na lakas, kumpiyansa sa ating hukbo,” he told the graduates.

(During calamities, conflicts, crises, and other challenges, your presence and readiness give added courage and confidence to our troops.)

No limits

Among AFP’s newest reservists is Nadine Montenegro Pla, better known in the entertainment industry as Nadia Montenegro. She is also a Senate employee as she works for Padilla’s office as a political affairs officer.

“I just learned that there are no limits when you want to serve [and] you have the heart to serve,” Pla told the media when asked about her experience as an official reservist.

Asked if she would recommend her fellow citizens to undergo the same training, she immediately said yes.

“I encourage everyone to do their part kasi this is the moment where we need talaga each other’s strength, each other’s power together na magsama-sama para sa ating bayan,” she said.

(This is the moment where we really need each other’s strength and power for us to come together for our country.)