Involvement of the Philippine Army Ready Reserve Force in the Implementation of Executive Order 70 in Region 1

This qualitative study explored the involvement of the Philippine Army Ready Reserve Force (RRF) in the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70), which institutionalized the Whole-of-Nation Approach (WONA) to end local communist armed conflict in Region 1. Using Key Informant Interviews, the research found that while the RRF has significant potential for contribution, their actual involvement remains limited due to the absence of a legal mandate, specifically the lack of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for Republic Act No. 7077. The study assessed RRF participation across five key areas: Organization, Management and Administration, Utilization in Civil-Military Operations (CMO), Command and Control, and Mobilization. Results indicated weak linkages with local government units (LGUs), inadequate training in counterinsurgency, and a lack of formal indoctrination on EO 70. Nevertheless, the RRF’s capacity in non-combat roles—such as disaster response, civic action, and information dissemination—was recognized. The study recommends revisiting RA 7077 and institutionalizing policies to integrate the Reserve Force effectively into national peace and development strategies.