Mandatory ROTC not a scheme to militarize youth, says PSG chief

The government’s push to make the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program mandatory for senior high school students is not a scheme to install a military state, a security official said Wednesday.

“Militarization takes years to develop," Presidential Security Group commander Brigadier General Jose Eriel Niembra said on Wednesday.

“Si Presidente naman he has only two years more. So it’s impossible na magiging prelude ito for a militarization of the entire youth ng Pilipinas,” he added.

“Secondly, ang gusto nating i-develop po dito is readiness for any eventualities; hindi lang po pang-giyera," Niembra said.

"We know that the ROTC and the reserve force of our country is the number one force that we can rely on in case of natural and man-made disasters," he added.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address in July, President Rodrigo Duterte urged lawmakers to support the proposed mandatory ROTC program in public and private senior high schools.

The measure failed to pass in the 17th Congress due to lack of time.

Duterte and proponents of the ROTC view the program's revival as means to inculcate nationalism, patriotism and discipline among Filipino youth.

Critics of the ROTC program led by the Kabataan party-list said it will only teach blind obedience among students. —NB, GMA News