Nagpahayag ng kahandaan si Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri na tumupad sa mga tungkulin na protektahan ang demokrasya at sobereniya ng bansa.
Kasunod ito ng paggawad kay Zubiri ng ranggong “lieutanant colonel” bilang “reservist” sa Philippine Army (PA) sa pamamagitan ng “doning of ranks” ceremony sa Camp Aguinaldo sa Quezon City kanina.
“It is a great honor to finally come to the culmination of that partnership, as I now take on the responsibility of being a reserve Lieutenant Colonel of the Army, prepared to defend the country not only in the halls of the Senate but also out in our war rooms and on the field, alongside you all,” sabi ni Zubiri.
Idinagdag pa niya: “It is not a responsibility I take lightly. I respect that as men and women of the Army, you have devoted yourselves entirely to the defense of the nation. Your skills, judgment and dedication are beyond compare, and no reservist can ever hope to measure up to you.”
Kasabay nito ang kanyang panghihikayat sa mamamayan na makibahagi bilang “reservist” sa AFP.
Sinabi pa niya na ang kanyang desisyon ay para patunayan na ang mga senador ay hindi maituturing na “armchair warriors” lamang kundi handa na patunayan ang pagmamahal sa bayan para sa kapayapaan at kalayaan.