After winning the Philippine National Elections last May 9, 2016, President Duterte wanted to revive the ROTC (Reserved Officers' Training Corps) for senior high school students. The Philippine indicated that there is nothing wrong when the country will revive its military training that could further benefit the Philippine Republic. This is a long term solution for the Philippines to sustain its security despite from the threats of terrorist groups and left-wing revolutionists who are trying to risk the safety of the society. Government executives and other public officials mostly support for the revival of ROTC that will be implemented for senior high schools next school year.
President Rodrigo Duterte formally signed a new bill that revives mandatory ROTC for senior high school students that was discussed during the Cabinet meeting on February 7, 2017, that was certified as an urgent bill so that it will be signed immediately. Under the Republic Act 7077, which is known as the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act, all senior students in grades 11 and 12 will not undergo ROTC training. For the next school year of 2017-2018, this new law will take effect to all schools both private and public across the Philippines. Students will now have to start preparing their uniforms and then read the basic facts about ROTC, which will be implemented by their schools next school year.
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| President Rodrigo Duterte signed Ra 7077 or the revival of Citizens Armed Forces of the Philippines reservist Act |
The revival of the Citizen Armed forces of the Philippines Reservist Act or RA 7077 concerned opposition groups due to the threat of security to some students. This was due to the threat of hazing risks for senior students that can be abused by their officers while attending the training. ROTC was made optional after the alleged hazing issue that resulted in the demise of former University of Santo Tomas student, Mark Chua, which was slain by the course officers due to the alleged ROTC controversies. Aside from the case of Mark Chua, there were numerous isolated cases of abuse towards students who were maltreated by their commanding officers.
For students who are currently suffering from a disability, they can seek for a medical certificate to be exempted from ROTC training, especially for the handicapped students. Handicapped students are not going to be able to fulfill the ROTC requirement due to an existing physical disability. Students with a serious medical condition such as congenital heart disease, cancer, and degenerative syndrome can also have the chance to be exempted from the training. In addition, students who have just come from serious physical injuries such as bone fractures can be exempted from training. Students with such conditions may refer to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' medical facilities in order to acquire a medical certificate as well as other legal certificates due to a serious condition.
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5 Reasons why President Rodrigo Duterte revived ROTC?
2. Protect the country from invasion: Private Army Reservists will help protect the Philippines when another military conflict will affect the entire country in the future. In the modern era, the Philippines is enjoying a peaceful society since it has been liberated by the United States during the Second World War. However, there are other countries threatening to create another series of a worldwide conflict, which is more dangerous than the previous editions of World Wars. Second world countries, as well as western countries who are capable of producing nuclear weapons, can initially create another edition of worldwide military conflict, which could easily affect the security of the Philippines in the future.
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3. The threat of terrorism, extremism, and revolutionists: Terrorism is one of the main reasons why the Armed Forces of the Philippines needs more military personnel. In the Philippines, ISIS-linked militants such as the Abu Sayyaf, Maute group, and Jemaah Islamiyah are known to have been responsible for a series of bombings, executions, and kidnappings of civilians in the country. Extremists and revolutionists such as the New People's Army, which has been regarded as a terror group by President Rodrigo Duterte are responsible for extortion and torching of properties of private civilians and business owners across the country.
4. Increase safety and security all over the Philippines: Every person wants to maintain a peaceful and a disciplined society. In 2 years time, there will be more army reservists who will provide a safer and secured environment by means of collaborating with the police and other military personnel all over the country. If the number of ROTC trained students increase, they can be mandated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to serve as the protector of the civilians from any negative elements of the society. Army reservists are a significant help for the existing active private class officers who can mitigate criminal activities across the society.
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5. Improve humanitarian services to the public: The Philippines regularly experiences all corners of natural hazards. The country seats beneath an active fault line across the archipelago that produces volcanism and earthquakes. The area has the most frequent tropical cyclone visits with over more than 20 a year. The country has an active meteorological phenomenon, in which some are extreme such as isolated twisters, torrential rains, and dry spells. This means that the Military is not only all about engaging in conflicts such as exchanging bullets with the negative elements of the society. During calamities, army reservists provide humanitarian services for the victims of natural calamities. These include rescuing trapped residents in the affected areas, evacuating affected communities, and preventing casualties, injuries, and missing individuals.
President Rodrigo Duterte is also a considerate president. Just like what happened to the cops who lost their professional track by engaging in both unethical and illegal activities, the president ordered the war on illegal narcotics to be suspended. If similar cases of abuse from the past will also be reported in the future by ROTC trainees, the government will review these cases and will determine if the implementation of RA 7077 will be suspended once again. For now, the newest revival of 7077 will be observed by the government as well as the human rights watchdog and will report any cases of abusive practices such as physical and mental abuse.
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