Army official to ROTC officers: ‘Hazing should not be part of training’

This undated file photo shows Reserve Officers Training Corps, or ROTC, cadets reporting to their officers at the Sunken Garden of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Philippine Daily Inquirer/Lyn Rillon

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — An official of the Philippine Army has called on officers of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) to get rid of hazing and instead focus on training and briefing their students about discipline and patriotism.

Captain Kim Apitong, spokesperson of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, described hazing in ROTC as an “old school” issue.

“We need to focus on training, lectures, briefing, and exercises. Hazing should not be part of the training,” Apitong said Thursday, July 28.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently backed the revival of the mandatory ROTC program for senior high school students.

Pulse Asia’s survey results showed that 69 percent of Filipinos favored the ROTC program.

“It’s very important that each individual know and ready to defend our country, which is not only the task of uniformed personnel but that of every Filipino citizen,” Apitong said.

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