First transgender solon joins armed forces

February 14, 2018

Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, the country’s first transgender congresswoman, took her oath as a Reservist Officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a ceremony held Wednesday  at the Department of National Defense (DND) Hall of Flags.

Roman donned the rank of lieutenant colonel as she officially joined the Philippine Army Reserve Force. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana administered the donning of ranks and oath-taking ceremony that was also attended by General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, AFP Chief of Staff, and other defense and security officials, a statement from the DND said.

Two other House Representatives, Congressman Edwin Marino Ongchuan of Northern Samar and Congresswoman Divina Grace Yu of Zamboanga Del Sur’s 1st District also took their oath as Lieutenant Colonel in the Army’s Reserve Force.

Roman announced her application to the AFP Reserve Force in February 2017. She also commended and thanked the AFP for allowing individuals from the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Community to apply for the military.

“War and disaster do not recognize gender, it affects everybody, and everyone must defend and serve our communities, and our country, that is why I am joining the AFP Reserve Force”, Roman said.

The first transgender military officer is also an advocate for the revival of the mandatory Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC) for grades 11 and 12. She expressed her support for the program during the ROTC Corps Commanders’ Summit and Senior Reservist Commanders’ Conference held on February 22 2017 in Camp Aguinaldo.

“We in Congress are working to make the ROTC experience a significant, beneficial and meaningful learning experience for those who will join and we will ensure that the value of Patriotism will be inculcated among the youth through this course,” she said. DMS