Deputy speaker pushes ROTC revival

MANILA, Philippines -  Deputy Speaker Raneo Abu is confident the House leadership will pass the bill reviving the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) as a mandatory course for senior high school students or those that would enter Grades 11 and 12.

“I appeal to the House leadership to prioritize my measure in line with President Duterte’s desire to revive the ROTC to promote the primary duty of the government to serve and protect the people,” Abu, who represents Batangas, said last weekend. 

Previously, ROTC was compulsory for first and second year college students – now the equivalent of Grades 11 and 12 under the K-12 curriculum.

In filing House Bill 5113, Abu intends to “resuscitate” ROTC and make it mandatory among public and private schools by amending Republic Act 7077 or the “Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act.” 

Generally, the proposed law will introduce basic military training to prepare students for national defense or civil-military operations. 

“If implemented efficiently, it would have the potential to produce an entire generation of young Filipinos who will be proud of their heritage and are ready to serve their countrymen,” Abu said.

He cited Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution, which allows the government to call upon the people to defend the state and require all its citizens to render personal, military or civil service.

“The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual and social well-being. It shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs,” Abu added. 

If passed into law, those who finished their college and ROTC courses will have the equivalent of first level civil service eligibility and an incentive for second level eligibility if the student pursues Advance ROTC.