DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio was promoted as colonel in the Reserve Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
"I am very thankful that an order has been released for [my promotion] as Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel as an army reserve of AFP. This is my way of helping the armed forces," she said.
She said part of her job is mobilizing volunteers in Davao City and assisting the AFP in times of disaster and in times of situation that needs assistance.
Joining her in the donning ceremony Wednesday, February 28, were Colonel Isidro Ungab and Colonel Edgar Crisanto Voilan.
Ungab and Voilan were also promoted from the rank of lieutenant colonel to colonel.
The three were able to graduate from General Staff College, which is a requirement before a person can apply for colonel rank.
They were promoted through an executive order, the reason they need to pass through the Commission on Appointments after the official ceremony Wednesday.
Ungab said a colonel rank means that a reservist can already handle a brigade in the reserved force in the Philippine Army.
"As reserve officers, we act in the training and preparation of our reserved officers, and the reservists, in case of emergency, and in case of war, the reservists will be mobilized to defend our country and in times of peace, reservists are also mobilized to assist in nation building and disaster preparedness," he said.
Ungab said he is hopeful that the mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) will be approved by Congress.
"I firmly believe that it is high time that the ROTC should be back. In fact, the President already signed the mandatory ROTC plans. These plans will be submitted by the Congress and once it is approved in the Congress, the ROTC will be back," he said.
Ungab said the most important thing taught in the ROTC is the imposition of discipline.
"Mga kabataan karon wala kabalo sa basic courtesy and discipline which is very important," he said.
He said the Philippines is the only country in Asia where there is no mandatory ROTC.