By Francis T. Wakefield
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday that it is possible to arm Reserve Officers Training Corps graduates and reservists in the fight against terrorism.
Lorenzana made the statement following President Duterte’s remarks that he will arm ROTC graduates and reservists if terrorism in the country worsens.
Lorenzana explained that other countries like Switzerland and Israel arm their reservists. They also have small standing armed force backed by a huge reserve force that trains with the active force.
“Arming reservists is very possible. What we envision in our country is the same. Each region will have a reserve unit consisting of retired military and ROTC graduates. Their officers and enlisted personnel will be active military,” Lorenzana said.
“They will have their regional headquarters with armories where they will keep their individual firearms. They can use these firearms during training. If they are used in combat, peace keeping, and humanitarian and disaster relief, they will have official orders calling them for limited active duty like we did with the Lanao del Norte reserve batallion during the Marawi siege,” he added.