Senator Francis Pangilinan has called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines  (AFP) and the Department of National  Defense (DND) to use the AFP Reserve Force in this times of crisis with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“We call on the AFP and DND to mobilize the AFP Reserve Force, especially colonel-ranked industry leaders in telecommunications and transportation,” said Pangilinan in a statement.

Pangilinan said their standing in their fields will enable them to mobilize existing networks that can provide logistical support for the emergency response.

They can help in providing immediate communications and transport of food supply items and relief goods;   personnel including frontline workers in hospitals, supermarkets, and banks;   and even returning and departing OFWs, Pangilinan said.

At the same time, the Reserve Force in the medical services and even waste management can help augment the existing government infrastructure and organizational structures, he also said.

“With these reservists exempted from the lockdown and under the command of the AFP, the efforts will be more organized and more efficient,” he said./Stacy Ang