Restoration of mandatory ROTC tackled in summit

February 22, 2017

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 summit to discuss restoring the mandatory ROTC Tuesday at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club.

The ROTC corps commanders’ summit and senior reservist commanders’ conference were joined by more than 300 participants with AFP Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año attending as the guest of honor and speaker.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently approved the proposed restoration of the mandatory ROTC in Grades 11 and 12 in 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 uñacao of the Maritime Academy of Asiaand the Pacific who discussed 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.

​“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 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,” Año said. Robina Asido/ DMS