TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Twenty-four members of the class 2023-Alpha “BUKAW” (Bukluran ng Laang Kawal ng Kalinga) officially graduated in a ceremony held on June 11, 2023 at the Red Star Hotel after finishing the 30-day Basic Military Civilian Training conducted by the 2nd Air Reserve Center (2nd ARCen) of the Philippine Air Force.
Col. Maribelle B. Manangbao, PAF (MNSA), Commanding Officer of the 2nd ARCen said that this is the first time that the PAF conducted the training in Kalinga as a result of their advocacy to encourage citizens to join the Armed Forces of the Philippines by being a PAF reservist.
“In the future, we are hoping that they will be able to participate in a number of civil-military operations in the area, of course together with the local governments and other branches of service in particular with the Philippine Army which has already established a base camp here in Tabuk,” she said.
In his address, Mayor Darwin C. Estrañero, represented by Henry Gupaal, noted that this batch, which is entirely composed of iKalinga, represents the success of the AFP’s joint program with local governments against insurgency.
He also acknowledged the graduates’ sacrifices in response to the call for nation-building and national defense, particularly at a time when the nation contends with internal and external threats.
“Ang pinakamalaking sakripisyo, sa military man o civilian, is to sacrifice for the defense of the country specially against internal and external threat,” he said.
According to Manangbao, the next training will take place in Baguio City, but they will request more training in Kalinga as they establish a PAF presence in all places under Area of Responsibility of the 2nd ARCen.
Members of the Class of 2023-Alpha “BUKAW” include Agustin, Sheila Aiza A.; Ambeguia, Lavarnie B.; Bag-ay, Michelle B.; Bugtong, Zyra B.; Bulwayan, Herbert B.; Buslig, Giovanni Marco C.; Buslig, Rgie G.; Cabradilla, Jonathan G.; Carillo, Amy Lyn D.; Castro, Jerald B.; Cirilo, Kerin Rasakh G.; Dimmog, Wilson Jose A.; Fontanilla, Artemio Jr. W.; Galicia, Pierre M.; Gayyaman, Joey B.; Lacamen, Charles Jr. C.; Lacamen, Xmy B.; Manauis, Mary Rose A.; Oria, Marie Anne B.; Paras, Allan Joseph G.; Pagtud, Perfecto Jr. B.; Tumaru, Stephen Dick D.; Vinoray, Nelva Lee D.; and Wangdali, Jan Michael K.
