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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Padilla hopes Scout Rangers' heroism will push youth to undergo ROTC, military training

Padilla hopes Scout Rangers' heroism will push youth to undergo ROTC, military training

Published Sep 1, 2023 08:24 am

Sen. Robin Padilla hopes that the heroism of the Scout Ranger Regiment of the Philippine Army will inspire the youth to undergo Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and military training.

He made the remark at the conclusion of the Scout Ranger Course Class 220-2023 at the First Scout Ranger Regiment in Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan on Friday, Sept. 1.

"Become an inspiration to the youths so they will embrace discipline," he said in a statement.


"Sana maging halimbawa tayo sa kabataan na yakapin nila ang military training... Sana kayo ang maging daan para ang mga kabataan, magkaroon ng inspirasyon at susunod sa inyong mga yapak (I hope you will become examples to the youths so they will embrace military training. I hope you will inspire them to follow in your footsteps)," said Padilla, a reserve Captain in the Philippine Army.


"Kailangan natin ng disiplina at disiplinang yan makukuha sa military training (We need discipline and we can achieve it through military training)," he added, urging the Scout Rangers to become "ambassadors" for the passage of bills for mandatory ROTC.

Padilla also mentioned that he hopes the time will come when he will see mandatory military service for the youth. He said that he has great respect for the Scout Rangers because of their role in liberating Marawi from terrorists in 2017 and that he was touched by their readiness to sacrifice their lives for the Muslims in Marawi.

The senator said that he is saddened by the fact that while youths as young as 10 in other countries today know how to disassemble and reassemble firearms, their counterparts in the Philippines are playing with mere toys.

"Nakakalungkot isipin yan sapagkat walang dedepensa sa bayan natin kundi tayo mga kabataan natin (It is sad to think that no one can defend our country other than our youths)," he said.

Padilla - who was awarded a Scout Ranger Honorary Badge - vowed to fight for the budget of the Scout Rangers for 2024.

Meanwhile, he reiterated the need to prepare the youths to fight “external threats,” noting recent developments abroad may affect the Philippines. He said he cannot understand why some sectors suggested “sports training” as a replacement for ROTC.

Padilla said that while he is not against sports training, this is different from military training where soldiers are prepared to sacrifice their lives for the country.

“Iba ang sundalo, magmula sa unang araw pa lang ng pagpasok hanggang pagkatapos ng training mo isa lang nasa utak mo: Giving your life to the country. Yan ang kailangan natin sa panahon ngayon (Soldiers are different. From the first day of their training they think of giving their lives for the country. That is what we need now),” he said.

“Yan ang kailangan natin ngayon. Ihanda natin ang ating mga kabataan sa external threat (That is what we need - to prepare the youths against external threats),” he added.

Padilla advised the Scout Rangers not to allow the youths to become just “keyboard warriors” in defending the country.

“Isa na lang po ang aking bilin sa inyo. Huwag po naging pabayaan na ang ating kabataan ay matapang na lang sa keyboard. Hindi ganyan ang Pilipino. Huwag tayong pumayag na hanggang keyboard na lang kabataan natin hanggang TikTok na lang (I have one request to make. Do not allow the youths to be brave only behind a keyboard. That is not what a Filipino is. Let’s not allow youths to limit themselves to being keyboard or TikTok experts),” he said.

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