Senator Dela Rosa to re-fil ROTC bill

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has assured that he will re-file his mandatory ROTC (Reserve Officers ’Training Corps) bill at the start of the 19th Congress on July 25.

He said he had already filed a similar bill in the 18th Congress.

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“Yes, the same bill that I filed during the 18th Congress, ipa-file ko ngayon doon sa 19th Congress. At titingnan ko kung mayroong proposal ‘yung Office ng Vice President na gagawin nila, isa-submit sa akin, then I am willing to author such a bill na gusto nila, ‘yung version na gusto ni Vice President Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio,” the senator said.

Under Dela Rosa’s proposal, there will be an ROTC program in Grades 11 and 12 in public and private schools.

He said his ROTC bill is only mild compared to the mandatory two-year military service promoted by Vice President-elect Duterte-Carpio.

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“Mas mild itong aking version, kumpara mo doon sa version na, I have heard, if I’m correct, ‘yung version ni Vice President Inday Sara, ‘di ko siya pangungunahan… ‘yung aking narinig ay ‘yung talagang mandatory military training to all the youth like the Korea, Singapore versions (na) kailangan na drafting talaga, two years drafting doon sa military, which ako, nakita ko mas mahirap palusutin ‘yan. It will face a stiff opposition,” he said.

Senator Dela Rosa to re-fil ROTC bill

In 2002, mandatory military training at the college became optional following the death of University of Santo Tomas student Mark Chua. ROTC officials allegedly killed Chua after he revealed irregularities in handling its funds.

The Department of National Defense (DND) supports the mandatory  training of 18-year-old Filipinos, providing many benefits to the youth.

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Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana states that  reservists are ready and trained to defend the country.

Also, through training and discipline, they will become better citizens and be instilled in them to serve the country.

However, Lorenzana admitted that there would be some barriers to its implementation, including resources.

He said training camps across the country, workforce, and funds will be needed to accommodate the millions of Filipinos over 18.

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