Army reviewing reservist training

From Malaya (Aug 12): Army reviewing reservist training

THE Army is reviewing the training and discipline of its reservist personnel in the wake of two recent incidents involving its reservists, one of which led to the death of a bike rider in Quiapo, Manila two weeks ago.

The review is meant to “prevent similar incidents,” said Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao.

“The end objective (of the review) is to make sure that our reservists are living up to the tradition of the military. They just want to maintain the discipline of our reservists,” he added.

There are 2,000 reservist officers and 52,000 reservist enlisted personnel throughout the country, organized as members of the Army’s Ready Reserve Force, Hao said. They can be called to active duty during war and emergencies.

Last July 25, bike rider Mark Vincent Garalde was shot dead by Army reservist Pvt. Vhon Tanto during a road traffic altercation. Tanto was arrested days later and is now detained, facing murder charges.

Last Sunday night, Army reservist Sgt. Rodrigo Balza kicked and poked a gun at his nephew in Tondo, Manila. Balza just arrived home when his nephew, a barangay tanod (watchman) who was drinking with friends, called him an arrogant and stupid soldier. Balza claimed his nephew is a drug addict.

Col. Joshua Santiago, commander of the National Capital Region Community Defense Group, said he turned over Balza to barangay officials on Wednesday afternoon, hours after the reservist turned himself in to his superiors.

Santiago said he spoke to the barangay captain who he said described the nephew, Roy Balza, as a “known drug addict in their area.”

Santiago said the military is conducting a separate investigation on Balza to determine if his action warrants his removal from the Army reserve force. The probe is on top of possible criminal charges that may be filed against him before a civilian court.

Citing an initial statement given by Sergeant Balza, Santiago said the reservist claimed he drew his personal gun because Roy and his drinking buddies were planning to attack him.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/army-reviewing-reservist-training