MANILA — Reservist Brig. Gen. Michael “Mikee” Romero has formally relinquished his duties as Wing Commander of the Tactical Operations Wing Reserve Northern Luzon and retired from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Force, effective August 19, 2026.
In a letter addressed to the AFP Chief of Staff, Romero expressed gratitude to the military leadership and the personnel he served with during his time in the Reserve Force.
> “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 work and military service as a reservist.
During his time in Congress, he was among the lawmakers who co-authored measures aimed at increasing the salaries and benefits of military and other uniformed personnel in 2018. The measures contributed to an average 58.7-percent increase in basic pay implemented that year, according to the statement.
He also supported the allocation of approximately **₱22 billion** in the national budget for the acquisition of three C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft for the Philippine Air Force, intended to enhance the AFP’s airlift, humanitarian assistance and disaster-response capabilities.
As a reservist, Romero said he took part in more than **60 voluntary civil-military, humanitarian assistance and disaster-response activities**, providing food, medical and dental services, educational assistance and other forms of aid to communities across the country.
The activities reached more than **20,000 Filipinos**, according to the statement, and included 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.
### Role in reservist organization
Romero also served as chairman of the **Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines (ARRAPI)**, where he advocated greater participation by citizen-soldiers in national defense, humanitarian assistance and disaster response under the Philippine Total Defense framework.
According to the statement, ARRAPI grew to more than **5,000 members nationwide** during his leadership.
The organization also mobilized trucks to assist in the rescue and evacuation of flood victims in Bulacan, delivered portable laboratory diagnostic equipment to hospitals serving the island communities of Mapun and Taganak in Tawi-Tawi, and facilitated approximately **₱12 million worth of medical supplies** for field units.
ARRAPI likewise organized the **2025 AFP National Reservist Convention** at One Ayala Mall in Makati City, which drew more than 4,500 participants on-site and approximately 48,000 online participants from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, according to the statement.
### Welcomes AFP validation process
Romero also said he welcomes the AFP’s validation process and expressed confidence in the institution’s procedures, saying he respects and supports any review or verification of records conducted through official channels.
He maintained that the medals, decorations, badges and other distinctions conferred upon him are reflected in official AFP records and can be verified through the appropriate offices.
With his retirement from the Reserve Force, Romero called on fellow reservists to remain prepared and committed to the AFP mission and to continue serving the country regardless of 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.”
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