Duterte urges passage of National Defense Act, mandatory ROTC bill

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday asked Congress to pass “very important” measures that will strengthen the country’s defense system.

Particularly, Duterte mentioned the approval of the National Defense Act, Uniformed Separation and Retirement Pension Bill, as well as the revival of the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

“We expect support to the legislative initiatives that are aimed at strengthening defense-related systems such as the proposed National Defense Act and Uniformed Separation (and) Retirement Pension Bill and (the) revival of mandatory ROTC (for) Grades 11 and 12. Very important,” Duterte said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

Currently, according to the President, when war comes to the Philippines the Filipino youth will not be able to help defend the country and even their families.

“Alam mo ‘pag magkagiyera-giyera, 10 out of 10 hindi marunong humawak ng baril to defend even his father and mother and brothers and sisters… I think military training will be good for everybody,” he said. /kga