FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – Actor and Army reservist Probationary 2nd Lieutenant Matteo Guidicelli formally started his Leadership Development Course (LDC) at the First Scout Ranger Regiment, Camp Tecson, Bulacan today, June 3, 2019.
The training is hosted yearly by the Philippine Army for 30 days in order to hone the leadership skills of officers of the Philippine Army and graduating cadets of the Philippine Military Academy. The opening ceremony was presided by Maj. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana, Commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, who himself is a Scout Ranger and a Medal for Valor Awardee (the highest military award in the AFP).
"We admire the spirit of volunteerism displayed by Matteo Guidicelli. Our country needs more like-minded inviduals who put the interests of the nation before their own. He certainly embodies the ideals of a disciplined and mission-oriented soldier of the Philippine Army," said Sobejana.
Guidicelli volunteered in the Army Reserve Component this year and has since been campaigning for more volunteers to become reservists themselves. He has also visited Maguindanao and the Davao region as a peace ambassador to inspire the youth to support the government’s peace initiatives, especially with revival of the Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Actor Robin Padilla has also recently expressed his desire to join the Army Reserve Component.
“The Philippine Army welcomes everyone who is interested to join the organization and make a stand. For those who have the heart to serve, then the Army is for you. We all have roles to play whether big or small, we are doing it all for love of God and country,” said Lt. Col. Ramon P. Zagala, Army Spokesperson.
A proposed bill is now in Congress to make ROTC a mandatory course for grades 11 and 12 to train and prepare the youth in the defense of our country and to assist during national emergencies and natural calamities. Since 1995, there have been 1,744,209 graduates of the ROTC.#
