Former Deputy Speaker and world-ranked polo player Col. Michael L. Romero is taking his championship mindset from the polo field to national defense, calling for the activation, organization, and full integration of more AFP reservists to strengthen the country’s territorial defense posture amid rising global tensions.
The Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines, Inc. (ARRAPI), led by Romero as chairman and Marines Reservist LTC Vlad Mata as president, underscores the urgent need to reinforce the nation’s Total Defense Strategy in response to evolving global and regional security challenges. Romero’s background as a top athlete — where discipline, teamwork, and strategic thinking are non-negotiable — mirrors the qualities needed to build a strong and cohesive reserve force.
With approximately 180,000 regular active-duty personnel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the country must significantly augment its defense capabilities through the mobilization of the Ready Reserve and Standby Reserve components. Through structured activation and sustained development, the Philippines can build a credible Total Defense Force of up to one million personnel — a “team” ready to respond to any challenge.
Territorial defense must now be elevated as a national security priority. Protecting sovereignty, securing maritime domains and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), deterring external aggression, and strengthening archipelagic defense capabilities all require a scalable and resilient force structure, much like a championship-level team executing a well-coordinated game plan.
ARRAPI emphasizes that the Reserve Force must be properly organized and fully integrated into the regular force — no longer treated as a secondary component, but as an operational extension capable of immediate mobilization. This integration should include:
- Clear command-and-control alignment between regular and reserve units
- Standardized doctrine, training, and interoperability exercises
- Institutionalized mobilization protocols and measurable readiness standards
- Regular joint exercises focused on territorial and coastal defense
Equally critical is the mirroring of technical expertise. Specialized competencies within the regular force — such as cyber defense, communications, engineering, logistics, intelligence, medical services, and maritime security — must have corresponding reserve counterparts. Leveraging civilian professionals with critical technical skills ensures operational continuity and strengthens surge capacity during national emergencies.
With conflicts unfolding abroad and persistent tensions in the West Philippine Sea, activating and integrating more AFP reservists is not merely a policy initiative — it is a strategic necessity for safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
For Romero, the same focus, teamwork, and discipline that propelled him to the top ranks of international polo now guide his vision for a strong, united, and ready Total Defense Force.
