By NITZ ARANCON Correspondent THE military is now using reservists to step up its security operations as it continued to beef up its forces in the predominantly Muslim city of Marawi that has been turned into a battleground. Camp Evangelista alone has deployed 135 members of the military reserve to augment security forces here. Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, also formed Task Force Oro under which the reservists would be involved in the security operations and in thwarting off threats of terrorism during the martial law period. Capt. Patrick Martinez, Camp Evangelista spokesman, said the reservists include five officials and the rest would serve as infantrymen. One of the five officials hold the rank of major while another is a captain. The rest are first lieutenants. Martinez said the military needs additional forces as it implements security efforts while it carries out offensives against Islamic State-inspired terrorists and carries out clearing operations in Marawi. He said the reservists would help in securing Cagayan de Oro but if the need arises, Camp Evangelista may deploy them anywhere in the region. The reservists would help man checkpoints, take part in military patrols and even in rescue operations, Martinez said. “They are really soldiers who are entitled to salaries and other benefits that regular soldiers are receiving,” Martinez said. He said the decision to make use of the reservists came because of the seriousness of the terrorism threat in Mindanao. Martinez said the move to tap reservists is not unusual. He said the military can always make use of reservists in emergency situations. “Ganon na man talaga kapag merong ganitong mga situation. Dati kasi ’pag merong mga bagyo, nag-anticipate din tayo ng  reservists para makatulong sa ating  rehabilitation  efforts,” he said. The newly minted soldiers would form the first company of what is now known as the 1005th Ready Reserve Battalion under the 10th Regional Community Defense Corps. They are Advanced Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduates who are now professionals in private practice. They would initially have a six-month tour of duty that would last until December or the expiry of the extended martial law in Mindanao. The military said the reservists would also form a visible presence in public places such as hotels, shopping malls, places of worship, and streets. Martinez said the government may also extend the reservists’ tour to help in the rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City. After that, they may also be called to act as ROTC teachers once the bill calling for mandatory ROTC in colleges is passed into law. (with reports from pna)