MANILA, Philippines – As a part of the armed
forces modernization program, the
Military reservists are guaranteed to get weapons in good working
condition from consistent troops undergoing rearming.
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen.
Gregorio Pio Catapang said the M16 rifles issued to regular troops are
gradually being recollected and replaced with new Remington M4 assault rifles.
The recalled M-16s will be refurbished and stocked and will be issued to reservists in times of emergencies. As of
now, the military has 1.2 million
reservists and 106,000 of whom are considered ready reserve and can mobilize on
short notice.
The AFP has 125,000 regular workers spread
among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
For now, Catapang said the military’s
reservists or “weekend warriors” are usually appointed as first responders for natural calamities operation. I
During the opening ceremony of the 35th
AFP National Reservist week held at camp Aguinaldo yesterday, Catapang said the
call the they have in the AFP as country’s protectors now encompasses a greater
mission of securing fellow Filipinos from climate devastation and various
natural disasters. Catapang also advised
the reservists to take their responsibilities with utmost devotion.
The
weekend warriors coordinate with AFP
camp commanders to plant and nurture 700 seedlings of Bukidnon gold cherry
blossom trees at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City and at Fort Bonifacio and
Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City.
