1403 Laang Kawal CDC Mountain Province

𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐓 𝐌𝐒-𝟑𝟏/𝟑𝟐 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐒-𝟒𝟏/𝟒𝟐 𝐂𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝗠𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼, 𝗟𝗮𝗺𝘂𝘁, 𝗜𝗳𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗼 — The Closing Ceremony of the Advance ROTC Academic Phase Training (ARAPT) for Military Science (MS) 31/32 and MS 41/42 was successfully conducted, marking the completion of intensive academic and leadership training by 388 cadets. The graduating class comprised 225 cadets from ARAPT MS-31/32 and 163 cadets from ARAPT MS-41/42, whose dedication, discipline, and commitment were evident throughout the training period. The ceremony was presided over by MGen Gulliver L. Señires PA, Commander of the 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, as Guest of Honor and Speaker and attended by distinguished military officers, NSTP Directors, ROTC Coordinators, Commandants, CDC Directors, school officials, and the proud families of the graduates.

The event highlighted the successful completion of the cadets’ advanced ROTC academic phase, which focused on military leadership, command responsibilities, military ethics, and nation-building. In his keynote address, COL Oscar B. Balignasay Jr., INF (GSC) PA, Group Commander of the 14th Regional Community Defense Group, commended the graduates for their perseverance and emphasized that completing ARAPT signifies a deeper commitment to service, leadership, and patriotism. He encouraged the cadets to apply the values and knowledge they gained in becoming responsible leaders who contribute to national security, community development, and the strengthening of the country's reserve force.

In his inspirational message, MGen Gulliver L. Señires PA emphasized that leadership is both a science and an art. He explained that the science of leadership can be learned through texts, doctrines, and formal instruction, while the art of leadership lies in the application of what has been learned. He reminded the graduates that effective leadership is demonstrated through influencing and inspiring others, noting that a true leader is one who earns the trust and confidence of followers. Challenging the cadets to put their training into practice, he encouraged them to embody the principles of honor, discipline, and service as they continue their journey as future leaders and contributors to nation-building.


,PA

Join the Army Reserve!

𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 | 𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗘?

Qualified applicants for a commission in the Army Reserve Force fall under 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 (𝟳) 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀, each with its own set of requirements and documents. Browse through these posters and find out where you belong.

This is your chance to step up, take responsibility, and join the proud ranks of the Citizen Soldiers. Your journey to becoming a Reserve Officer begins today!

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐒𝐂𝐓 𝐂𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐨

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗨𝗽 | The Opening Ceremony of the ROTC Summer Camp Training (RSCT) CY 2026 with 225 RSCT Cadets composed of 164 males and 61 females, was formally conducted on May 04, 2026, held at Mabatobato, Military Reservation in Lamut, Ifugao with Col Oscar B Balignasay Jr., the Group Cmdr of the 14th Regional Community Defense Group, RESCOM, PA as Keynote Speaker. This activity was attended by organic and reservist personnel.

The ROTC Summer Camp Training (RSCT) for Calendar Year 2026 is a two-week military training program that serves as an introduction to a military career for those aspiring to become reserve officers in the Philippine Army. This training not only marks the commencement of regimental life for our cadets through rigorous activities but also reinforces the enduring spirit of camaraderie and duty as young patriotic Filipinos.

In his speech, Col Balignasay Jr., quoted that, “Leadership is not defined by rank alone, but by the example you set, the discipline you have, and the courage you show even when no one is watching.” He highlighted the vital role of ROTC in nation-building, and emphasized the importance of leadership, resilience, and patriotism, encouraging trainees to embrace the challenges ahead as opportunities for personal growth and national service.

𝟭𝟰𝟬𝟭𝗖𝗗𝗖 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻-𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫, 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | The 1401st Community Defense Center (1401CDC), under the 14th Regional Community Defense Group, Reserve Command, Philippine Army, successfully conducted its Turn-Over of Director Ceremony on 09 May 2026 at Brgy Loakan Liwanag, Baguio City. The ceremony was presided over by Col Oscar B. Balignasay Jr., Group Commander of the 14th Regional Community Defense Group as Presiding Officer and marked the formal transition of leadership from Ltc Jeofrey G. Codiamat to Col Emmanuel L. Diasen Jr., as the new Director of 1401CDC.

Ltc Codiamat, who served as Director from 16 September 2021 to 09 May 2026, was recognized for his exemplary leadership and unwavering dedication in strengthening the operational readiness, stakeholder coordination, and reserve force development of the unit. In his message, Col Balignasay Jr., commended the outgoing director for his invaluable contributions and expressed confidence in Col Diasen’s capability to continue advancing the mission of the Community Defense Center. Col Diasen formally accepted the responsibilities of leadership and pledged to sustain the accomplishments of his predecessor while further enhancing community defense and reserve force management in the region. He also extends his appreciation to the partner agencies, stakeholders, government officials, and supporters for their continued cooperation and commitment to the organization’s mission.

The event was attended by military officers, reservists, stakeholders, and representatives from various sectors, including Mr. Frankie Cortez, Operations Officer, OCD-CAR, Ms. Claire S. Alsaen, NSTP Director of KCP, Mrs. Catherine B. Codiamat wife of Ltc Codiamat, and Ltc Epifanio R. Gaminde PA (RES), Battalion Commander with the staff officers of 1401RRIBn. The ceremony concluded with expressions of gratitude and support for both leaders, reflecting the professionalism, unity, and commitment of the 14th Regional Community Defense Group and the Reserve Command, Philippine Army, in serving the community and strengthening the reserve force in Northern Luzon.

𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 | 𝗜𝗙𝗦𝗨 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗥𝗔𝗔𝗧𝗜) 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Ifugao State University (IFSU) was recognized as Champion in the Regional Annual Administrative and Tactical Inspection conducted by the Office of the Assistant Division Commander for Reserve Force Development, 5ID, PA, highlighting its outstanding performance in organizational management, training, and operational readiness. The trophy was formally presented by Colonel Oscar B. Balignasay Jr., Group Commander of the 14RCDG, and received by Dr. Eva Marie Codamon-Dugyon, University President, during the Closing Ceremony of the CWTS and ROTC held at the Open Gymnasium of IFSU Nayon Main Campus in Lamut, Ifugao, attended by military officials, faculty members, and cadets.

The recognition underscores the university’s strong commitment to excellence in reserve force development and its continued partnership with the military in promoting discipline, leadership, and service among its students.

𝗡𝗧𝗙-𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗔𝗖: 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗡𝗣𝗔 𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

Recent incidents in Negros Occidental and Samar lay bare a troubling shift in the recruitment practices of the New People’s Army (NPA), marked by the increasing involvement of foreign nationals and minors in active combat—a development that raises serious concerns about the trajectory of the armed movement.

In the April 19, 2026 armed encounter in Toboso, two American nationals—Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem—were among the nineteen (19) NPA combatants killed, as reported by the Negros Police.

Their deaths underscore how individuals from outside the country are now being drawn into local armed hostilities.

Also among those killed in the same encounter- as identified in the PNP investigation and validated by their claimant-relatives--were two minors, Jolinda Jimena (16) and Dexter Patoja (17). Their presence in a combat environment highlights the grave risks faced by young individuals who become involved in armed conflict.

In a separate incident in Samar on April 17, 2026, another minor identified as alias “John Paul” was killed during an armed encounter, as reported by the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.

This brings to three the number of minors killed in combat within the same period.

Taken together, these cases present a pattern that cannot be dismissed. The involvement of foreign nationals alongside minors points to a widening recruitment scope that extends beyond traditional local bases and into more vulnerable sectors.

The recruitment and use of minors in armed conflict constitute serious violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), as well as Republic Act No. 11188 (Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act), Republic Act No. 7610, and the Philippines’ obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC).

Those responsible, particularly elements of the CPP–NPA–NDF, must be made to account for these transgressions of both domestic and international law.

These laws exist to ensure that children are protected from exploitation and exposure to violence.

The presence of foreign nationals in these encounters further indicates that recruitment efforts have expanded beyond Philippine borders, exposing individuals from the diaspora to the dangers of armed confrontation on the ground.

These developments suggest increasing pressure on the movement to sustain its ranks, reflected in a shift toward drawing from sectors that are either geographically distant or inherently vulnerable.

This situation calls for heightened awareness and vigilance among families, communities, school administrations and organizations—both in the Philippines and abroad—to ensure that individuals, particularly the youth, are not placed in circumstances that endanger their lives.

A movement that draws in children and foreign nationals into armed conflict is not demonstrating strength—it is revealing a critical strain that comes at the cost of human lives.

Usec. Ernesto C. Torres Jr.
Executive Director
NTF-ELCAC