Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said females, and even members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer plus are included in the mandatory Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program and will train alongside the males, to ensure there would be “gender equality.”

Sen. Ronaldo “Bato” Dela Rosa (Senate PRIB Photo) 

The former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief said it would be considered “gender inequality” if females and the LGBTQ community will be excluded from the program.

“Sila ang nagsisigaw ng (They are the ones who called for) gender equality, ‘yung mga kababaihan, tapos ngayon sila ang ayaw? Ano ba 'yan? (Our females, then they do not want to participate? Why)?” Dela Rosa pointed out in an interview.

“Sila ang nag-declare ng (They are the ones who called for) gender equality, equality to all opportunities. So, this is an opportune time, this is an opportunity given to them to serve their country. So bakit sila magrereklamo (Why will they complain?” the senator further asked.

That is why, Dela Rosa said he stands firm in his commitment to make sure that the bill making the ROTC program mandatory again will now include females and other gender groups.

“Ngayong nandyan na gender equality, anong klaseng gender equality, one-sided? Gender inequality ‘yan kung ayaw nilang sumabay (Now that we have gender equality, that can’t be one-sided. It would be gender inequality if they do not want to be included),” he said.

“So lahat, lahat, kasama. Walang mga — pag sinabing male and female, nandyan na yung LGBT kasama na ‘yan (So everyone is included. When you say male and female, that includes the LGBT),” the sponsor of the measure said.

Senate Bill No. 2034, persons with disabilities, and those whose religious beliefs prohibit them from using firearms in rendering service to the country, and those who have been convicted by final judgment of crimes involving moral turpitude are exempted from the mandatory ROTC program.

A specialized program would instead be given to them.