MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights condemned the killing of a Reserved Officers Training Corps member in Iloilo City at the hands of a cadet officer, saying the program was meant to develop model citizens..
“It is unfortunate that both were under a national program meant to develop physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said in a statement. “Violence should never be allowed in schools and universities—places where we expect our children to learn and grow in safe environments that even stand as their second homes,” she added.
Willy Amihoy, 23, a student of Iloilo State College of Fisheries, was allegedly attacked and killed by Elmer Decilao, a fellow student and a corps commander, on Monday.
According to a report on Bombo Radyo Iloilo, Amihoy's body was found wrapped in fabric inside a restroom.
READ: Estudyanteng hinampas ng ROTC corps commander patay sa Iloilo — ulat
A group opposed to the proposal to make ROTC mandatory again said Amihoy's death should serve as a warning to lawmakers who support the move.
Democratic socialist group Akbayan Youth said it is "outraged at the death of a freshman student in Dumangas, lloilo after he was hit in the head with a pipe for merely checking his cell phone."
According to reports, Amihoy had accused Decilao of taking his mobile phone without permission, which led to the incident.
“Instead of instilling nationalism among students, a mandatory ROTC will only perpetuate submission to macho authorities,” Akbayan Youth said. “This proves that it will only strengthen the abuse, misogyny and homophobia that are already going on in this system.”
President Rodrigo Duterte has called for the revival of mandatory ROTC for Grade 11 and 12 students, a proposal still pending in Congress.
READ: Mandatory ROTC bill pending in House
The president said that he wanted to make the military training program required again to "instill patriotism" and "love of country among youth.
The ROTC program was made optional in 2001 after the death of a cadet who had exposed corrupt practices at the University of Santo Tomas ROTC unit.
READ: Why ROTC is no longer mandatory
“We call on the campus authorities of Iloilo State College of Fisheries to conduct a thorough investigation for a resolution on the victim,” Akbayan Youth said. “We also urge student organizations to unite against the revival of the mandatory ROTC.”