𝗠𝗖𝗧𝗖 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗣𝗔𝗢 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀

In Photo: (Top photo) Judge Obedoza (tallest); Atty. Cojpag (left); Atty. Salteras (far left) and Atty. Addauan (right) during the formation held at the facade of the 2RCDG building. (Below photo) BCMT CL 02-24 after the closing ceremony. (Photo by: Mae Barangan)

ECHAGUE, Isabela– Hon. Norbert Bong Obedoza, Presiding Judge of Cordon- Dinapigue Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTC), and the lawyers of Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) in Nueva Vizcaya namely Atty. Bernabe Cojpag, Atty. Francis John Addauan and Atty. Jireh Joshua Salteras joined the Basic Civil Military Training (BCMT) facilitated by the 2nd Regional Community Defense Group (2RCDG), on Sept. 19, 2024, at 502nd Infantry Brigade, Soyung, Echague, Isabela.

In an exclusive interview, Judge Obedoza said he wants to join the Reserve Force because of his interest in socio-civic activities. “I signified my desire to be an army reservist last year but the pandemic hindered my application. I am willing to undergo training without compromising my duties as a Judge so I can fulfill the requirements to become one,” Obedoza added.

On the other hand, Cojpag, 21 years in law practice said that joining the Reserve Force is a fulfillment of his childhood dream of becoming an army while Addauan, nine years in the law profession said he can best exercise the spirit of volunteerism in the Reserve Force. Salteras, five years in service recalls that his first choice after high school was to enter the Philippine Military Academy but his parents did not allow him. Having a stable career, being a reservist is another noble duty to perform.

The lawyers joined the other 116 civilian volunteers who came from the different provinces of Region 2 to complete the BCMT CL 03-24. They will undergo 45-day training before they will officially become part of the Reserve Force units under the 2RCDG.

Obedoza is expected to join the Judge Advocate General Services Reserve after the training while Cojpag, Addauan, and Salteras will join the 203rd Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (203RRIBn).

Meanwhile, the Donning of Ranks and Closing Ceremony of BCMT CL-02-24 was also held at the same time and place. Maj. Flodemonte S. Gerdan PA (RES), Battalion Commander of 203RRIBn graced the occasion as Guest of Honor and Speaker.

Gerdan in an interview said that the growing number of civilians who signify their willingness to become Reservists indicates that public awareness concerning the duties and responsibilities of being a patriotic Filipino citizen is high.

2RCDG is presently headed by Col. Monib T. Mamao, group commander.# Mae Barangan