links: http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/382-restoration-of-mandatory-rotc-tackled-in-national-summit
Restoration of Mandatory ROTC tackled in National Summit
CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement to strengthen the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program, Corps Commanders and Senior Reservist Commanders nationwide gathered in a national summit to discuss the restoration of the Mandatory ROTC, Tuesday, February 22 at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club.
The activities came on the heels of
President Duterte’s approval of the proposed restoration of the
mandatory ROTC in Grades 11 and 12 of the country's public and private
schools.
“The ROTC is a key component of the
AFP’s Reserve Force Development program. Through this summit, we are
able to connect the ROTC Corps Commanders with the Senior Reservist
Commanders of the AFP to discuss common issues on the ROTC and its role
in the Reserve Force,” AFP Public Affairs Chief, Marine Colonel Edgard
Arevalo said.
Among the invited speakers were Senator
Sherwin Gatchalian who tackled the restoration of mandatory ROTC, and
Retired Navy Captain Diofonce F Tuñacao of the Maritime Academy of Asia
and the Pacific who discussed the institutional measures to prevent
hazing and corruption in the ROTC.
The summit was anchored on the theme
“Building the ROTC as a Strong Foundation of the AFP Reserve Force”. It
also featured focus group discussions and a plenary session where ROTC
graduates can interact with reservist commanders of the Brigade-level
Ready Reserve Units.
Also present in the event is Bataan Representative Geraldine Roman, the country’s first Transgender Congresswoman.
The AFP’s Office of the Deputy Chief of
Staff for Reservists and Retiree Affairs who organized the summit
invited the Congresswoman to show the AFP’s openness in her interest to
join the military reserve force.
As the summit’s output, a manifesto was
signed by the ROTC Corps Commander inking their pledge to actively
address hazing and corruption in the ROTC, and to commit themselves to
greater participation in nation-building.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines
believes it is time to bring back mandatory ROTC in schools to ensure
that the youth are shaped with a deep sense of patriotism and love for
country,” said General Año.
“The Mandatory ROTC Program will
strengthen national security since the country will have trained men and
women who can defend their country in times of war and crises;
undertake disaster, relief and rescue operations and; assist in
socio-economic development,” General Año concluded.
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