DND welcomes ROTC bill approval for second reading

THE Department of National Defense (DND) lauded the approval for second reading of the proposed bill reinstating the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program for Grades 11 and 12.

“As the voice of the Filipino people, our Representatives’ votes truly reflect the collective sentiments of our people, especially the Filipino youth who will greatly benefit from the ROTC program which aims to instill patriotism, love of country, moral and spiritual values, respect for human rights and adherence to the Constitution,” DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said in a statement last February 7.

Under House Bill 8961, ROTC graduates are eligible for commissioning through lateral entry and enlistment in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Bureau of Fire Protection.

“This legislation will also strengthen our Reserve Force which is an important component of our national defense and security,” Andolong said.

ROTC became optional in 2002, a year after the death of University of Santo Tomas ( UST) student and ROTC cadet Mark Welson Chua Jr. for exposing alleged corruption within the reserve corps.

Chua’s body was found floating in the Pasig River, wrapped in a carpet believed to have belonged to UST’s Department of Military Science and Tactics.