AFP answers Imee’s objection to restore ROTC

July 26, 2019

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the return of the Reserve Officers Training Corps. (ROTC) only prepares and capacitates youths "to respond to exigencies."

"The training merely prepares our youth and capacitates them to respond to exigencies such as calamities and national emergency," said Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman Friday following a statement by Senator Imee Marcos opposing the ROTC's revival.

"We take cognizance of the view of the good Senator Marcos as against “forcing the kid to becoming soldier” regards the ROTC," he said.

"With all due respect however, we maintain that taking and completing the ROTC program does not make him —or her— ipso facto a soldier," he noted.

"Unless, in their own volition, these young and patriotic Filipinos opt to join the Armed Forces of the Philippines," he added.

Arevalo said "under the Constitution, Article II Section 4, it is the prime duty of the government is to serve and protect the people. Thus, government may call upon its citizens to render personal, civil, or military duties to defend the State."

"The ROTC program readies our men and women to fulfill that constitutionally mandated obligation," he said.

Arevalo quoted AFP Chief of Staff General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. as saying that in these times the ROTC program is needed to train and instlll in the youth: discipline, nationalism, respect for authorities, and love of country among other values. Robina Asido/DMS