From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 24): AFP supports call to revive ROTC
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is amenable to the proposal of the Association of General and Flag Officers, Inc. (AGFO) calling for the revival of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC).
"Decades ago, the Philippines was defended by members of the ROTC in Bataan (during World War II) at the time even if they are in a very young age," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.
He added that ROTC service, during the Commonwealth period, inculcated patriotism, love of country and discipline to the youths who undertook training at that time.
"For the past 11 years, we have not seen this kind of patriotism so I think this resolution is very timely it is something that should be looked into and considered so we can bring back patriotism and service and love of country inculcated in our youth," Zagala stressed.
AFGO earlier claimed that geopolitical developments in the Asia Pacific region have accentuated the weaknesses of the Philippine defense posture and exposed the very limited capabilities of the AFP to defend the national sovereignty.
"Whereas, 10 years after the abolition of the ROTC as a mandatory program, there is now growing sentiment that the national defense preparedness of our nation has not been served well since the alternative programs in the National Service Training Program are deemed insufficient to inculcate the values of discipline and patriotism required of every citizen and do not address the military training ideally required of every citizens," the group stated.
The ROTC was scrapped in 2002 after Mark Wilson Chua, an engineering student of theUniversity of Sto
Zagala also hopes that the reactivation of the ROTC will instill discipline, love of country and commitment to heed the call to serve among today's youths.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=547547
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is amenable to the proposal of the Association of General and Flag Officers, Inc. (AGFO) calling for the revival of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC).
"Decades ago, the Philippines was defended by members of the ROTC in Bataan (during World War II) at the time even if they are in a very young age," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.
He added that ROTC service, during the Commonwealth period, inculcated patriotism, love of country and discipline to the youths who undertook training at that time.
"For the past 11 years, we have not seen this kind of patriotism so I think this resolution is very timely it is something that should be looked into and considered so we can bring back patriotism and service and love of country inculcated in our youth," Zagala stressed.
AFGO earlier claimed that geopolitical developments in the Asia Pacific region have accentuated the weaknesses of the Philippine defense posture and exposed the very limited capabilities of the AFP to defend the national sovereignty.
"Whereas, 10 years after the abolition of the ROTC as a mandatory program, there is now growing sentiment that the national defense preparedness of our nation has not been served well since the alternative programs in the National Service Training Program are deemed insufficient to inculcate the values of discipline and patriotism required of every citizen and do not address the military training ideally required of every citizens," the group stated.
The ROTC was scrapped in 2002 after Mark Wilson Chua, an engineering student of the
Zagala also hopes that the reactivation of the ROTC will instill discipline, love of country and commitment to heed the call to serve among today's youths.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=547547