C. Visayas army reservists hone skills, prep for external threats

From the Philippine News Agency (May 6, 2024): C. Visayas army reservists hone skills, prep for external threats (By John Rey Saavedra)

RESERVISTS MARKSMANSHIP. Some of the members of the 1901st Infantry Brigade Ready Reserve participate in the marksmanship proficiency training as part of capability building to augment the regular force for the territorial defense. Brig. Gen. Erik Miguel Espina on Monday (May 6, 2024) said the activity rekindled the eagerness of the ordinary citizens to wear the Army uniform and prepare for any eventualities amid territorial row in the West Philippine Sea. (Photo courtesy of Army Reservist Sgt. Princess Jean Pepito)

CEBU CITY – The reserve force of the Philippine Army is getting ready for capability building to augment the regular force in event they need help to protect the country’s territorial integrity.

Brig. Gen. Erik Miguel Espina, head of the 1901st Infantry Brigade Ready Reserve based in Cebu, said over 100 Army reservists joined the marksmanship proficiency training over the weekend supervised by the Army Reserve Command’s 7th Regional Community Defense Group.

Espina, a media practitioner, said the activity sparked the ordinary citizens’ eagerness to defend the Philippines in case of any external threat amid the continuing row in the West Philippine Sea.

“The reservists of the Philippine Army left their homes just to join the annual recording of their rifle skills, with a mission in mind to keep themselves abreast of the latest concept of defense to secure our family, country, and independence,” Espina told the Philippine News Agency.

The activity is just part of a regular readiness test of the Army reservists in Cebu to arm the citizen armed forces with ample skills to defend the land when needed.

Among the reservists who joined the annual marksmanship training are government officials like Major Thadeo Jonkie Ouano who is the current board member of Cebu’s sixth district and Undersecretary Terence Calatrava, head of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas.

Ouano is the current intelligence officer of the Reserve Brigade while Calatrava is part of the Security Platoon of the unit.

Mandaue City Lone District Rep. Emmarie Ouano-Dizon also holds the position as Executive Officer of the Brigade.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1224135