AFP more than willing to accept transgender Bataan solon in reserve force

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sees no difficulty in giving in to the desires of Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman, the first trangender woman elected to the House of Representatives, in joining the military’s reserve force. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines/ Facebook)

MANILA—The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sees no difficulty in giving in to the desires of Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman, the first trangender woman elected to the House of Representatives, in joining the military’s reserve force.

This was stressed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in a message to the Philippine News Agency late Wednesday.

“In taking in applicants to the AFP whether in regular or reservist force, we do not discriminate with respect to gender,” he added.

The AFP’s ongoing gender and development program guarantees that, Arevalo stressed.

“As such, the AFP welcomes the express interest of Rep Roman. We highly value the patriotism of our citizens and will work to cultivate this. She will be a welcome addition to the Reservists Force,” he added.

And before accepting and training prospective members, Arevalo said the AFP inculcates on them that that they are entering an institution placed in high esteem.

“As such, we admonish them to maintain the dignity of the uniform; observe discipline, propriety and decorum; and measure up to the steep standards of the service. Else, they have no room in this noble profession of arms,” he added.

But he clarified that gender of the prospective will be based on the gender of the applicant based on certificate of live birth.

Roman earlier lauded the AFP for allowing military applicants coming from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) sector.

In the same vein, the Bataan solon expressed support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to return the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in the country’s high school curriculum.

She added ROTC will help the youth in preparing for the nation’s defense and mercy missions in case of calamities.