Filipino-Italian actor and musician Matteo Guidicelli joined the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a reservist tasked to render service in times of local and national emergencies or during wartime.
He took his oath as a formal member of the AFP Reserve Force in the headquarters of the Army Reserve Command, or ARESCOM, at Tanza, Cavite on April 15, Monday.
Guidicelli was enlisted as a private by ARESCOM commander, Major General Bernie Langub.
Guidicelli said he joined the AFP Reserve Force to express his love for the country.
He even quoted MGen. Bernie Langub on his Instagram post, who said, “The rank is emplaced near their heart because it means only those who have the heart to serve will be fit to wear the uniform.”
“It is beyond the uniform, it is all about willingness to serve the country and being prepared for any eventuality. I congratulate these brave young men for choosing to serve,” the ARESCOM commander continued.
The family of Guidicelli attended the oath-taking to support his decision.
The actor will soon participate in trainings to prepare himself in case he gets called in times of local disasters and national emergencies.
Guidicelli on March 17 also became a member of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary which is tasked to enforce laws on Philippine waters, conduct maritime security operations and protect marine environment and resources, among others.
What a military reservist does
The AFP keeps a reserve force as backup or reinforcement in cases of wars, invasions, rebellion and other incidents that threaten the country’s socioeconomic development.
A reservist is also expected to “assist in relief and rescue during disaster or calamities, in socioeconomic development, in the operation and maintenance of essential government or private utilities in the furtherance of overall mission.”
Reservists are categorized into three types:
- The Ready Reservist,
- Standby Reservist, and
- Retired Reservist
The ready reservist shall be active in wartime and national and local emergencies arising from “calamities, disasters and threats to peace, order, security and stability in any locality, including the need to provide assistance in relief and rescue work and other civil assistance activities.”
A standby reservist, on the other hand, is someone who may be called for duty in “times of national emergency or war” only.
Meanwhile, a retired reservist is someone who may be called for duty “in times of local or national emergencies if he volunteers for active duty.”
