Westmincom trains Reservists on combat

THE Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) is conducting a three-day training to bolster the combat and disaster response readiness of Reservists within its Joint Operational Area (JOA) in Zamboanga City, officials said Saturday, May 31, 2025.

The training, dubbed the Reserve Force Joint Training Exercise (RFJTEX) 2025, reeled off on Friday, May 30, and is set to end on Sunday, June 1. It is being held in Zamboanga City.

The training gathered Ready Reserve Units (RRUs) and Affiliated Reserve Units (ARUs) from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Technical Administrative Service (TAS) across the Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Navy Captain Edwin Ello, Westmincom’s Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, said RFJTEX 2025 aims to bolster the readiness of the reserve forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and their ability to integrate seamlessly with regular units during joint operations.

Ello emphasized the value of joint training in building cohesion and operational synergy among Reserve Units.

“Through RFJTEX 2025, we aim to strengthen our operational readiness and ensure that our Reservists are always prepared to support national defense and disaster response efforts,” Ello said.

“This training underscores their significance in safeguarding our communities and responding to various challenges within our area of responsibility,” he added.

He said the training activities were strategically designed to reinforce Reservists’ competencies in both Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations and warfighting scenarios, including demonstrations of current techniques, tactics, and procedures in basic soldiery.

He said the training also serves as a platform to assess the effectiveness of Westmincom’s contingency plans in responding to natural disasters and security threats.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete, commander of Westmincom, lauded the dedication of the participating Reservists and highlighted the significance of the training exercise in sustaining a strong and capable reserve force.

“This exercise ensures that we remain mission-ready and unified in our pursuit of peace, security, and resilience across Western Mindanao,” Nafarrete said.

“Our Reservists are indispensable assets to our military organization and national development,” he added.

First District Representative and Zamboanga City Mayor-elect Khymer Adan Olaso, who served as the resource speaker, formally opened the three-day training of the Reservists in the city.

Westmincom said Olaso’s declaration set the tone for the exercises, which included lectures and discussions on HADR, contingency planning, and the Reserve Force Development Strategy. (SunStar Zamboanga)