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Netizens say ROTC ‘best way’ to promote patriotism
On Friday, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, Marine Brig.
Gen. Edgard Arevalo stressed that the proposed mandatory ROTC for SHS students “does not force them to become soldiers”.
(PNA file photo)
MANILA — Netizens believe that the proposed mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) training for senior high school (SHS) students is the best way to instill patriotism in the Filipino youth.
“What it (ROTC) does is putting into them (Filipino youth) a sense of patriotism and discipline which youngsters nowadays seem to lack,” netizen Harree Adorable said in a comment on the Philippine News Agency’s (PNA) Facebook post.
Meanwhile, Eroll Pajutining Paala said apart from patriotism, ROTC would keep the next generation of Filipinos from being “brainwashed with wrong ideologies”.
“One thing is sure, mabawasan na mga (there will be fewer) students joining rallies. Looking back, physically, nakapagod din ‘yung endless marches, na pagkatapos gusto mo lang magpahinga (the endless marches are tiring, that all you want to do is rest afterward),” netizen EV Nash said.
On Friday, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo stressed that the proposed mandatory ROTC for SHS students “does not force them to become soldiers”.
Arevalo was reacting to Senator Imee Marcos’ pronouncement that she cannot accept the proposal, saying, “You really cannot force a kid to become a soldier.
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He clarified that ROTC simply prepares the Filipino youth in responding to exigencies like calamities and national emergencies.
“Hindi naman kapag nag ROTC ka kailangan mo nang pumasok sa military, eh bakit ung ibang mga nasa gobyerno ngayon, wala naman sa sa military, mas okey nga sana kong pwede ng tumuloy agad sa military para sa mga gusto(It doesn’t mean that you’ll continue to military [school], look at some of those in the government, they’re not in the military, actually, it would be better if those interested can really directly go to the military [after ROTC],” William dela Rosa said.
Meanwhile, Amiel Aceremo-Roldan suggested mandatory Civil Service examination for SHS students after they have completed two years of mandatory ROTC training.
In a letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto III dated June 3, President Rodrigo R. Duterte urged the Senate to certify the immediate passage of Senate Bill 2232, which institutionalizes ROTC in senior high school.
