Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 7077)
The official title of Republic Act No. 7077 is the "Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act."
The policy is to maintain a standing or regular military force in times of peace adequate to the security needs of the State, which can be rapidly expanded by the well-disciplined Citizen Armed Force in the event of war, invasion, or rebellion.
The five components are: 1) Army Reserve Component; 2) Air Force Reserve Component; 3) Navy Reserve Component; 4) AFP-Wide Technical Reserve Component; and 5) Affiliated Reserves.
Citizen soldiers or reservists include graduates of ROTC basic and advance courses with AFP reserve orders, graduates of authorized basic military training, ex-servicemen and retired AFP officers who are Filipino citizens, recognized WWII guerrillas, commissioned and noncommissioned officers under the Affiliated Reserves, NDCP graduates, and other commissioned or enlisted personnel under existing laws before and after the enactment of the Act.
They are grouped into three categories: First Category Reserve (18 to 35 years), Second Category Reserve (36 to 51 years), and Third Category Reserve (above 51 years).
They are classified into three groups: Ready Reserve, Standby Reserve, and Retired Reserve.
All male citizens aged 18 to 25 years who are not reservists are required to register for military instruction.
Exemptions include members of the clergy (unless volunteered), active AFP and police members, superintendents and uniformed members of penitentiaries and insane asylums, and licensed air and maritime pilots, navigators, and merchant marine officers.
They are punishable by military law and may face imprisonment ranging from two (2) months to twelve (12) months upon conviction by a court martial.
Mobilization types include Full Mobilization (joint act of Congress and President activates all Ready and Standby Reserve units), Partial Mobilization (joint act activates only necessary Ready Reserve units), and Selective Mobilization (President activates only selected Ready Reserve units for local emergencies).
Employees undergoing military training in government or qualifying private employment shall not be separated or terminated, retain seniority status, receive continued salary according to company policy or law, and resume former positions without diminution of pay post-training if honorably discharged.
Basic citizen military training shall not exceed six (6) months.
ROTC is mandatory military training in colleges and universities intended to produce enlisted and officer reservists with a basic ROTC of two academic years and an optional advance ROTC of up to two more academic years.
These administrative functions are under the Secretary of National Defense and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
If qualified and fit for duty, a Retired Reserve member may be called to active duty in times of local or national emergencies, particularly when skilled citizen soldiers are insufficient in Ready or Standby Reserve units in their area.