AFP Spox : Only left-leaning groups against mandatory ROTC

Since the passage  on the third reading of the bill making the Reserved Officers Training Course (ROTC) mandatory for senior high school students, the only group that has been very vocal to such are the left-leaning groups.

The House Bill No. 8961, which makes it mandatory for senior high school students to enroll in ROTC was voted upon by the members of the House of Representatives   167-4-0.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said the left leaning groups raised the issue that the country will be violating an international treaty - the Optional Protocol of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

(photo credit to owner)

"Right now, the only groups who oppose the reimplementation of mandatory ROTC are the left-leaning groups and they are just a noisy negligible group compared to those who support ROTC," Detoyato said.

"While we respect international laws, we are also a sovereign country that has a lawmaking body that passes laws applicable to us. In the past, third year and 4th year high school students were already given a CAT (Citizens Army Training) required to all 4th year high school students and optional to third year (only those who wants to become officers in CAT when they reach 4th years) and mandatory ROTC to college students (usually four semesters)," Detoyato added.

The House Bill 8961 also states that the ROTC shall be a requirement before graduating.

HB 8962 also laid down where the children can also be exempted undergoing as such.

the following students may be exempted: those who are physically or psychologically unfit; those who have undergone or are undergoing similar military training; those who are chosen by their school to serve as the school’s varsity players in sports competition; and those who may be exempted from training for valid reasons as approved by the Department of National Defense, upon recommendation by an educational institution where the concerned student is enrolled.

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Report from PNA