PUP students want ROTC program scrapped over alleged hazing

Some students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines held a rally inside the Manila campus Monday to call for the abolition of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), following reports of alleged physical abuse against a cadet.

 

"Para wala nang mabiktima, para matigil na ang tradisyon na itinuturo ng ROTC na kultura ng karahasan, kinakailangan na po na i-abolish, buwagin, tanggalin ang programang ito!," said Eistein Recedes of the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines.

 

The rallyists held a noise barrage, lit candles, and had classroom-to-classroom dialoguea with the students to gather support for the abolition of the ROTC program.

 

Meanwhile, one of the two ROTC officers accused of hazing by "Sheena", a cadet, denied the allegation and called for the school board's immediate resolution of the case.

 

"Mahirap humarap sa mga tao ngayon e. Pati sa aming pamilya nagkakaproblema na. Meron kaming right to be presumed innocent unless proven guilty," the ROTC officer, who requested his identity withheld, said.

 

"Mahihirapan kaming linisin ang pangalan namin kasi nauna na silang nagkabit ng mga ganyan sa pangalan namin. Medyo mahirap pero we're going to prove we're not guilty," he added.

 

Meanwhile, the father of another alleged hazing victim, also testified before the University Board on the prevalence of violence in PUP's ROTC.

 

The "24 Oras" report said the PUP Board issued a decision on the case of his son in 2012, resulting in the dismissal of ROTC tactical officers involved in the incident.
 

But the father said he received reports that the dismissed officers still occasionally enter the university.

 

The PUP administration said they are now checking reports that the dismissed ROTC officers have been entering the university. The administration also said that they are now investigating the alleged prevalence of hazing in the ROTC.

 

"We decided to form a fact-finding committee para alamin talaga kung talamak ang hazing sa ating ROTC," said University Board secretary Merito Fernandez. — Elizabeth Marcelo/JDS, GMA News