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QUEZON CITY, Philippines 鈥� Senate Majority Leader Francis 鈥淭ol鈥� Tolentino on Saturday urged the 107,000-strong reservists in the country鈥檚 different branches of the military to play an active role in defending and safeguarding the Philippines鈥� sovereignty amid political tensions and challenges in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In addressing the celebration of the 45th Reservist Week at Camp Aguinaldo, Tolentino emphasized the 鈥渋mportance of robust and ready reserve that cannot be overstated鈥� as the country鈥檚 role in the Indo-Pacific becomes 鈥渟trategic鈥� in the 鈥渃omplex security environment.鈥�

Tolentino, an active member of the country鈥檚 military reserve force鈥攚ith the rank of Brigadier General鈥攍auded the reservists鈥� roles as professionals building the nation as well as defenders and humanitarian responders.

鈥淭he reserve force is a symbol, a testament to every Filipino, and serves and safeguards our sovereignty,鈥� he said.

Tolentino further said that the reserve force offers assurance that the Filipino people stand ready in times of crisis.聽

鈥淎s we face further uncertainties in the region, it becomes imperative that we continue to strengthen capabilities, training, and support for our reservists,鈥� he added.

Tolentino shared that as a reservist himself, he authored two proposed laws鈥擬aritime Zones Law and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law鈥攁s contributions to strengthen the Philippines鈥� claim over the territorial waters, endowments, and entitlements around the country based on international laws.

鈥淭hese laws have long-lasting effects on our sovereignty,鈥� he said.

Tolentino believes that the reserve force must be concerned about and ready for various threats to the nation鈥檚 security, including conventional and non-conventional ones like cyber attacks, terrorism, and human trafficking.

He acknowledged that skilled reservists in technology, law, medicine, engineering, and other expertise are very important in the modern defense concept that enhances the Armed Forces of the Philippines鈥� (AFP) capabilities.

鈥淟et us also be reminded that our national defense is not only about weapons and strategy, but it is also about our nation鈥檚 collective consciousness to stand and defend our sovereignty and freedom,鈥� he said.