Duterte may issue EO for mandatory ROTC

President Rodrigo Duterte said he might issue an executive order (EO) making the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program mandatory for Grades 11 and 12 (senior high school) students if Congress failed to act on it soon.

In a speech in Tanza, Cavite province, on Thursday night, the President pushed for the revival of the compulsory ROTC program, which he said would instill patriotism among the youth.

“I likewise encourage Congress to enact a law that will require mandatory ROTC for Grades 11 and 12 so we can instill patriotism, love of country among our youth,” he said during the 35th founding anniversary of the Army Reserve Command at Camp Riego de Dios.

Defend the country

“If it can be done through an EO, executive order, I might be forced to, if they do not act on it. I said this is a constitutional requirement that you must be prepared to defend your country,” he added.

Mr. Duterte has been pushing for the revival of ROTC for senior high school students.

But Congress needs to amend Republic Act No. 7077, or the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act, as well as Republic Act No. 9163, or the National Service Training Program Act, to make ROTC compulsory. —JULIE M. AURELIO