FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija - In a bid to enhance the leadership skills of the 44 incoming ROTC Corps Commanders from Region 1 and 3, the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army through its Office of the Assistant Division Commander for Reservist and Retiree Affairs led by Colonel Harold Anthony F. Pascua concluded this year’s Strengthening the Army Leadership of ROTC Students in 7ID Series of 2023 (SALARS 7, s 2023) Phase 2 at 7ID Headquarters, Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija on Sunday, July 02.
SALARS 7 aims to enhance the leadership skills of the 44 ROTC Corps Commanders from Regions 1 and 3; to capacitate them to be Champions of the government’s Advocacy in their respective schools; to be front-liners in denying the recruitment of the Communist Terrorist Group in their respective schools; and to encourage them to join and be part of the Philippine Army Officers’ Corps with the guidance of their respective Coach-Mentors -- who are the nine Assistant Chief of Staff of 7ID.
Said activity was composed of three phases: 1st Phase was a series of online lectures from May 20-27; 2nd Phase was their visit to the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne); Army Artillery Regiment; Aviation Regiment; and Light Reaction Regiment for the capability demonstration as well as the lecture from Solidarity of Parents and Educators for Empowerment, Peace, and Development, Incorporated (SPEEPD), led by its President/Founder Irma Labsan; while the 3rd Phase was the mobilization of the ROTC Students.
Binibining Pilipinas 2022 Miss Friendship Eifell Janell C. Rosalita, a former ROTC herself and a Philippine Army Reservist with a rank of Private, was invited by the OADCRRA through SPEEPD to lecture on the role of youth in nation-building and on how a terrorist organization deceived the bright and talented students luring them to join the Armed Struggle of the Communist Terrorist Group.
She also thanked the 7ID for taking the initiative that benefits the students.
“As a Reservist, I am glad that 7ID has this initiative for the ROTC Corps Commanders to develop their leadership skills through this seminar/training. Also, I wish the students the best, and I expect them to influence their cadets to spread awareness on CTG recruitment,” said Rosalita.
Meanwhile, Cadet Captain Lorylyn C, Corpuz of 105 CDC, 1st RCDG, a Criminology graduating student from Manaoag, Pangasinan East, extended her gratitude to the 7ID for the leadership skills she gained from the activity and vowed to educate her co-cadet officers and other students in her school about the CTG recruitment targeting the youth sector.
“Ipapasa ko po sa aking mga kasama sa ROTC at sa aking kapwa studyante ang aking mga natutunan sa aktibidad na ito. Nagpapasalamat po kami sa 7ID sa ipinaranas sa amin kung saan ipinakita nila ang kakayanan ng bawat Army unit sa loob ng Fort Magsaysay. Marami po kaming natutunan,” said Corpuz.
Major General Andrew D. Costelo PA, Commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army, recognized the performance of the ROTC Program and how much it has contributed to the overall efforts of the Philippine Army Reserve Force Development Program.
He then commended the participants for enthusiastically contributing to the activity that commenced last May.
“We are so grateful for the time and effort you have extended for this endeavor. it does not only conveys that the reserve force knows no boundary for service, but it also manifests their commitment to learning and training themselves as an optimum reservists. I knew that you have acquired a lot of knowledge and gained wisdom through this activity, despite our educational sessions being scheduled at night,” MGen Costelo said.
The 2-day activity concluded with a fun shoot at the 7ID firing range for the students to appreciate gun safety and how a pistol and a long firearm are used.
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