At the start of 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Congress to finally pass a law to bring back the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, more popularly known as the ROTC program. During his speech, he said he wanted it to be included immediately in the curriculum for all SHS students in public and private schools.

“The aim is to motivate, train, organize, and mobilize students for national defense preparedness,” Marcos stated.

About Mandatory ROTC

Through military training and education, the ROTC aims to prepare the citizenry if ever they need to defend their nation. Some activities under ROTC aside from military leadership are disaster preparedness, jungle survival skills, communications, self-defense, and first aid. 

Mandatory ROTC seems to be on the fast train to being passed through legislation. Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he is confident Congress would pass the legislation quickly. 

Under the proposal, men and women must participate in the program.

We asked students how do they feel about the proposal:

Bloody history

Miguel Talens, a 3rd Year student from the University of Santo Tomas. 

“Dati, whenever usapan ng mga seniors ko yung experiences nila with ROTC, it was always about how much fun they had emotionally and physically terrorizing cadets,

Gabriel Magtibay, a 4th Year student from UP and a member of the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP)

“May mga pro-torture talaga daw na mga officer at atrasado ang paniniwala. Of course not all, pero the fact remains.” 

Brylle Matthew Principe, a 1st Year student from the Ateneo de Manila University

“History tells us the reason why it was removed: multiple incidents of harassment, and even death.”

“That history, paired with the current state of our police and military, will surely result in more abuses. It just creates students and soldiers that can work for the state to maintain the status quo.”

Context:

• According to Micah Formoso of the Philippine Collegian, at least 14 confirmed cases of hazing, sexual abuse, physical assault, and murder occurred associated with ROTC. 
• Case: Mark Welson Chua, an ROTC cadet. Chua exposed corruption, bribery, and extortion within his ROTC unit at the University of Santo Tomas. He posted this to the university’s student publication, the Varsitarian. Shortly afterwards, his lifeless body was fished out of the Pasig River. His death caused an uproar of protests, eventually leading to the end of Mandatory ROTC. 

Other angst of students

Skye Mishuku, an APEC Schools student and member of Anakbayan Las Piñas

 “There are a lot of already ingrained issues in today’s neoliberal education. Instead of imposing useless bills just for the sake of prerequisites for college, why not make education more accessible? Improve the current dynamics and flaws that so many students are affected by!”

“Nationalism is putting the people and their welfare first and foremost before anything else, and forcing people to conform to the demands of the military and corrupt officials for lucrative agendas will not and never be genuine nationalism.”

She also pointed out that the expenses needed for these classes may be more than most can afford; the boots and uniform needed alone are already hundreds out of one’s pockets. 

“In a couple of years, I’m thinking that there will be less and less people in college, and/or will be more likely to drop out/not enter college because of these prerequisites that are beyond what people can afford.”

Miguel Gonzales, a member of Panday Sining UST.

“Kitang-kita naman natin sa sistema ng AFP-PNP–na siyang magtuturo sa mga estudyante–na sobrang bulok na ‘to at ginagamit nila ang pagpo-powertrip at paggamit ng armas para takutin ang mamamayang Pilipino.” 

“Ang mgay gain lang talaga nito ay ang mga AFP-PNP, kasi maaari ka na maging reserbang hukbo ng militar. Pwede ka na nilang maging kapalit.”

“Pero para sa mga estudyante at magulang, isa lamang itong pahirap, dahil punong-puno na ng work loads ang mga estudyante at dadagdag lang ‘tong pabigat sa kurikulum na mayroon tayo ngayon.”

Brylle Matthew Principe, a 1st Year student from the Ateneo de Manila University

“This is clearly an attempt to scare and stop the growing student movements on campuses.” 

“Supporting Mandatory ROTC makes us blind to the real problems our education system faces, and we won’t solve those issues by militarizing our children.”

Luigi Lalas, a 3rd Year student from the University of the Philippines

“This is a clear manifestation of misappropriation of funds,” referring to the P61.2 billion proposed budget to implement the program.

“It should be allotted to the health and education sector, considering that we are still under the pandemic, and schools are only starting to return to face-to-face classes.”

Pro-ROTC

Meanwhile, we asked a parent who feels the Mandatory ROTC training will be beneficial for the country and the students.

Raymond, a father of two

“The number one thing which I think is beneficial when it comes to ROTC: the discipline instilled in the person and sense of civic duty.”

“With the current trend at the international scene, any time we might be expected to do what is necessary. Let’s say, for example, defend your own country against foreign intervention. How are you going to do it?”

“ROTC has some flaws, yes. But the basic principle and philosophy of ROTC are geared towards civic duty.”