‘Strengthen NSTP instead of mandatory ROTC’

MANILA, Philippines — The government should strengthen the existing National Service Training Program (NSTP) instead of reviving the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), a youth rights advocate has said.

Speaking with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News last week, Salinlahi secretary general Eule Rico Bonganay said an expanded NSTP program could achieve the objectives of those pushing for the mandatory ROTC.

“What we believe as child rights advocates (is that) we can instill nationalism among our youth without taking up the ROTC program, which will open or place our young students vulnerable to abuses,” he said.

“We believe that without taking the ROTC, we can teach our students and produce an army of youth who are ready to serve their community and who can help us build this nation,” he added.

In the same program, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, vice chairman of the House committee on national defense and security, stressed the need to return the citizen military training (CMT) for students.

Biazon is proposing the reintroduction of the CMT in the college level, different from President Duterte’s directive to include mandatory ROTC in senior high school.

Biazon underscored the importance of military training, both in instilling nationalism and having a force ready to respond to calamities. He noted that it would prepare citizens to immediately respond and organize themselves in times of emergencies.

“The principal purpose is for us to have a standby force which we may call upon when needed. Back then, the mindset was for mobilization as a military force in response to an attack or war if needed,” he said.

“But nowadays, even (the Armed Forces of the Philippines) itself has a new direction, which is the preparation for humanitarian assistance mobilization during disasters and calamities, so they have another role,” the lawmaker added.

Bonganay, however, said such objectives may be achieved without having to undergo military training, stressing previous cases of abuse under the ROTC program.

“That’s why we want to expand and specifically include areas that are lacking in the current NSTP program. Aside from educational institutions, what the government really has to do is to strengthen other agencies that are tasked or mandated by our Constitution to respond to various situations, including calamities and disasters,” he said, referring to the proposed amendments to the NSTP law filed by the Kabataan party-list group.

“If the government really wants to encourage participation not just among the youth but all Filipinos as well, they have to institute programs not only in educational institutions but also in other agencies, including in the barangay. We have an agency on disaster risk reduction. Why not strengthen it instead of mandating our students to undergo ROTC?” he added.