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ROTC must be mandatory - Senator Dela Rosa

Philippines | National

ROTC must be mandatory - Senator Dela Rosa

By Mario Casayuran

Senator Ronald De La Rosa has hit back at critics of the Duterte administration for its alleged ‘’weak’’ responses to the bullying tactics of China on Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (ECZ) in the West Philippine Sea.

During a public hearing on Wednesday, May 26, by the national defense and security committee of the Commission on Appointments (CA), De la Rosa said there are many critics, be they old or young, who maintained that the Philippines should wage war against China but ‘’wala naman daw gustong mag-ROTC (they do not want to enlist in the Reserved Officers Training Corps).’’

The ROTC used to be mandatory in the college level but is now made optional because of hazing where some had died.

Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, pointed out that China has a very strong army, reserved force and militia.

He cited this during the CA’s committee hearing on the fitness of Antonio C. Palces, Deputy Chief of Staff for education, training and doctrines of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to be confirmed as Rear Admiral.

Palces agreed with De La Rosa that the ROTC course should become mandatory as before.

He said ROTC instills discipline in the young although it is taught once a week.

He said that ROTC graduates become a reserve force of the AFP and could be tapped in case of emergencies.

ROTC became optional in 2002 after the enactment of the National Service Training Program Act of 2001.

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