ARRAPI pushes for activation of more AFP reservists amid global security tensions

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MANILA, Philippines — Amid global security tensions — including the ongoing war in the Middle East and rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea — the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines Inc. (ARRAPI) is intensifying its call for the activation, organization, and full integration of more Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reservists to reinforce the country’s territorial defense posture.

Led by former Deputy Speaker and Air Force Reservist Col. Michael Romero as chairman, and Marines Reservist LTC Vlad Mata as president, ARRAPI underscores the urgent need to strengthen the nation’s total defense strategy in response to evolving global and regional security challenges.

With approximately 180,000 regular active-duty personnel in the AFP, the country must significantly augment its defense capability through the mobilization of the Ready Reserve and Standby Reserve components. Through structured activation and sustained development, the Philippines can build a credible Total Defense Force of up to one million personnel.

Territorial defense must now be elevated as a national security priority. Protecting sovereignty, securing maritime domains and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), deterring external aggression, and strengthening archipelagic defense capabilities require a scalable and resilient force structure.

ARRAPI emphasizes that the reserve force must be properly organized and fully integrated into the regular force — no longer treated as a secondary component, but as an operational extension capable of immediate mobilization. This integration should include:

• Clear command-and-control alignment between regular and reserve units
• Standardized doctrine, training, and interoperability exercises
• Institutionalized mobilization protocols and measurable readiness standards
• Regular joint exercises focused on territorial and coastal defense

Equally critical is the mirroring of technical expertise. Specialized competencies within the regular force — such as cyber defense, communications, engineering, logistics, intelligence, medical services and maritime security — must have corresponding reserve counterparts. Leveraging civilian professionals with critical technical skills ensures operational continuity and strengthens surge capacity during national emergencies.

With conflicts unfolding abroad and persistent tensions in the West Philippine Sea, ARRAPI said activating and integrating more AFP reservists is not merely a policy initiative — it is a strategic necessity for safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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