DND: ROTC a ‘beneficial initiative’

MANILA, Philippines - The Defense department on Friday described as a “beneficial initiative” the mandatory military training for students that was scrapped more than a decade ago after it was plagued with controversies.

Defense department spokesman Peter Galvez said the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program could instill patriotism among future leaders.

“We view it (ROTC) as a very beneficial initiative and a step for the security of our country. It is a means by which we are able to ensure that the coming generation of leaders has appreciation for the love of country,” Galvez said in an interview.

Galvez said concerns about corruption and bullying by upper classmen can be addressed by instituting checks and balances.

“Those (bullying and corruption) were individual acts. It’s not the training that will train you to do them. These are practiced by unscrupulous and wayward individuals,” the defense official said. 

“We can always have checks and balances for the implementation of the program. These can be sufficiently monitored,” he added.

Galvez was asked to react to renewed efforts to revive the mandatory ROTC program amid the West Philippine Sea row.

Leading these efforts is the Association of General and Flag Officers, Inc. (AGFO), a group of retired generals who believe that the ROTC can instill discipline and patriotism among the youth.

In a resolution issued last month, AGFO said the defense preparedness of the country “has not been served well” since the mandatory ROTC was discontinued 11 years ago.

 â€œGeopolitical developments in the Asia Pacific region have accentuated the weaknesses of the Philippine defense posture and exposed the very limited capabilities of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to defend the national sovereignty,” the resolution read.