MANILA — In a letter of relinquishment of duties and retirement addressed to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Reservist Brig. Gen. Michael “Mikee” Romero formally relinquished his duties as wing commander of the Tactical Operations Wing Reserve Northern Luzon and retired from the AFP Reserve Force, effective August 19, 2026.
Romero expressed his gratitude to the AFP leadership and the men and women with whom he served. “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.” Romero’s involvement with the AFP has included both legislative advocacy and service in the Reserve Force.
During his time in Congress, Romero was among the champions who co-authored measures in 2018 that improved the salaries and benefits of military and other uniformed personnel. These measures contributed to the 58.7-percent average increase in basic pay for military and other uniformed personnel implemented that same year. He also championed allocating approximately ₱22 billion in the national budget to acquire three new C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft for the Philippine Air Force, strengthening the AFP’s strategic airlift, humanitarian assistance, and disaster-response capabilities.
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. These efforts covered communities in Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea and 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 can 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. Under his leadership, ARRAPI expanded to more than 5,000 members nationwide.
Among its initiatives was the mobilization of unit trucks that helped rescue and evacuate flood victims in Bulacan. The organization also delivered portable laboratory diagnostic equipment to hospitals serving the remote island communities of Mapun and Taganak in Tawi-Tawi and facilitated ₱12 million worth of medical supplies for field units. 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.
Romero welcomed the AFP validation process and expressed full confidence in the institution’s procedures, saying he respects and supports any review or verification of records in accordance with official AFP processes. He reiterated that all medals, decorations, badges, and distinctions conferred upon him are properly reflected in official AFP records and may be verified through the appropriate offices.
As he concluded his service in the Reserve Force, Romero urged fellow reservists to remain ready and committed to the AFP’s mission and to continue serving the country beyond rank or position. “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.”
