By Billy Begas
Reservist Brig. Gen. Michael Romero formally relinquished his duties as Wing Commander of the Tactical Operations Wing Reserve Northern Luzon and retired from the AFP Reserve Force.
Based on the letter of relinquishment of duties and retirement addressed to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Romero’s retirement is effective August 19, 2026.
“It has been a profound privilege and honor to serve our country alongside the dedicated men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Romero said. “I am deeply grateful for the trust, friendship, camaraderie, and opportunities afforded to me through my service.”
As a reservist, Romero participated in more than 60 voluntary engagements involving civil-military operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster response. These activities included food assistance, medical and dental services, educational support, and aid to communities and families in need, reaching more than 20,000 Filipinos in various communities in Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, Mavulis and Itbayat in Batanes, as well as Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Jolo, Dinagat Islands, Zamboanga, North Cotabato, Bulacan and Pampanga.
“Those experiences strengthened my belief that genuine service is ultimately measured not by rank or position, but by what we are able to do for our people and our country,” Romero said.
Romero also served as chairman of the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines (ARRAPI), where he advocated for broader citizen-soldier participation in national defense, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response under the Philippine Total Defense framework.
Aside from expanding its membership, ARRAPI also organized the 2025 AFP National Reservist Convention at One Ayala Mall in Makati City, bringing together more than 4,500 reservists on-site and approximately 48,000 participants online from across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“My service in uniform may come to an end,” Romero said. “My duty to our people, our sovereignty, our flag, and our country will endure.”
