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Bato invokes threats from neighbors in pushing mandatory ROTC


Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa has raised perceived threats from the Philippines' neighbors "particularly China" and the fluid geopolitics around the world in pushing for a mandatory reserve officers training program.

"We have an impending threat coming from our neighbors, particularly China. So countries such as ours must be prepared to defend our country in terms of aggression," Dela Rosa said  on CNN Philippines.

He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines was "very small" and needed backup from reserve officers if the country would face invasion.

"Sino ang ita-tap natin after the whole Armed Forces is wiped out? Wala na if we don't have a  standing reserve army," Dela Rosa said.

"So it is the duty of every Filipino citizen to defend his country in case of invasion. So we have to be prepared. It is our duty," he added.

Dela Rosa also believes that this kind of threat to the Philippines makes the passage of the measure more urgent.

"The geopolitics happening around the world is very fluid... Just take the case of Ukraine...The Ukrainians are relatives of the Russians. They speak the same language, they belong to the same race but then again Russia invaded ukraine. How much more for the Philippines?" Dela Rosa said.

The former Philippine National Police has refiled the Mandatory ROTC bill in the 19th Congress. —NB, GMA News

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