353 finish ROTC in Cebu

Lieutenant Colonel William Homoc, chief of the City of Naga Police Station, speaks to cadets and cadettes of the Professional Academy of the Philippines (PAP) at the open grounds of St. Francis de Assisi in the city on Thursday, May 25. (MARY GRACE OBERES / INQUIRER VISAYAS)

NAGA CITY, CEBU — At least 353 cadets and cadettes of the Professional Academy of the Philippines (PAP) participated in the closing on Thursday, May 25, of the National Service Training Program (NSTP)/Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at the St. Francis de Assisi in the City of Naga, south of Cebu.

Kishan Largo, a first year criminology student, said the ROTC program instilled in him the value of discipline.

“As someone who experienced the ROTC program, I think it’s also good to revive ROTC in universities,” he said.

“One of my good lessons is that when you work hard, every result is worth the sweat and blood,” he added

While the ROTC seems hard and a waste of time, Largo appealed to students not to be discouraged as the training would teach them many valuable lessons.

“To all incoming college students, I assure you that the ROTC is not as bad as you think. At the end of the day, you will realize that you’ve earned a lot of knowledge that might be helpful in the real world,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel William Homoc, chief of the City of Naga Police Station, encouraged those who have completed the NSTP-ROTC program in the academy to use their learning for the good of others and the community.

“The knowledge that you have now will serve as preparation for your future battles in life. Although at present the ROTC is optional, I’m happy to see all finish the course,” said Homoc, guest speaker of the event.

“The discipline and proper attitude that training brings are now part of your life and are helpful in all aspects of your lives. I’m amenable to bringing back ROTC because it can contribute many aspects like military skills and disaster preparedness.”

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