Cagayan de Oro City — The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army, successfully conducted the ROTC Advance Cadets Summit 2025, a two-day event aimed at strengthening the Reserve Force and instilling values of discipline, patriotism, nationalism, and service among future youth leaders.

Held under the theme “Empowering Future Leaders through Discipline, Patriotism and Service,” the summit took place at the 4th ID Montalvan Hall in Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.

Col. Rey Pasco, assistant division commander for Reservist and Retirees Affairs, said the summit was approved by Maj. Gen. Michele B. Anayron Jr., commander of the 4th ID. The program reflects coordinated planning, extensive preparation, and sustained engagement with partner institutions.

This collaboration is further strengthened by a recently signed memorandum of agreement between the 4th ID and the Commission on Higher Education, establishing a long-term partnership in support of ROTC development across the Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.

The summit was one of the most extensive ROTC engagements ever hosted by the division, bringing together 184 ROTC Advance Cadets from both the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force.

The attendees, which included 115 males and 69 females, represented higher education institutions across Region 10 and participated in a comprehensive lineup of lectures, workshops, and team-building activities.

Anayron underscored the crucial role of empowering the youth as partners in nation-building.

“Our future depends on young leaders who embody discipline, patriotism, and a genuine desire to serve,” Anayron said. “Through this summit, we are investing not only in the strength of our Reserve Force but also in the character and capability of future public servants and defenders of the nation. The 4th Infantry Division remains steadfast in supporting the ROTC program as a vital pillar of national preparedness and youth leadership development.”

He stressed that the summit’s initiatives are part of a broader strategy to institutionalize a sustained pathway for ROTC Advance Cadets, preparing them for roles in national development, disaster response, community security, and other essential public service functions.

“The successful conduct of the ROTC Advance Cadets Summit 2025 represents another significant milestone for the 4th ID in its ongoing mission to cultivate the next generation of leaders dedicated to serving the nation with honor, integrity, and commitment,” Anayron said.