Charles Teves
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa does not believe there are any legal obstacles to including foreign students in the scope of the mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program being proposed.
“There is no exemption. That’s the general rule, no exemption,” he said.
Dela Rosa made this statement during a Monday interview with journalists. He was questioned about the exemptions in the ROTC bill he endorsed for plenary approval last month.
“Kagaya ng mga foreigners, mga foreigner na estudyante, you cannot subject them to love our country, to die for our country because they belong to another country and yet hindi pa rin sila exempted sa ROTC,” he added.
If the proposed ROTC bill becomes law, all students in higher education and technical vocational institutions will be required to complete the basic ROTC program. Otherwise, they will not graduate.
The bill provides no exemptions, but there will be a special program for students with disabilities, those whose religious beliefs prevent them from using firearms in service to the country, and those with a final judgment for crimes involving moral turpitude.
This special program will include modules similar to the basic ROTC program, except for physical military training.
Foreign students enrolled in baccalaureate or technical vocational courses where the basic ROTC is required will also have to participate in a specialized program aimed at deepening their understanding and appreciation of the Philippines, its people, society, culture, government, and their potential to improve relations between their home countries and the Philippines.
“Provided, further, that foreign students who complete the course shall not be included in the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) Reserve Force,” the bill reads.
Netizens dislike the bill, with some calling it useless.
Including foreigners??? Ano naman pakialam ng mga dayuhan sa ROTC natin? Sa araw-araw namang magsalita ito, puro katangahan ang lumalabas. https://t.co/S2eBzhrISV
— Jojo Clemente (@jclem3) April 10, 2023
Anong ibang bansa ang magpapatupad ng ganitong policy? Ang engot lang talaga no? https://t.co/Gs4zDohJU6
— Jojo Clemente (@jclem3) April 10, 2023
Ayaw sa EDCA.
Ayaw sa VFA.
Pero isasama sa ROTC pati mga foreign students?
BOBONG BATO. https://t.co/20jpiViMkB— Choy🇵🇭🇭🇷🇪🇺 (@KaTindig2029) April 10, 2023
https://t.co/WZH46gfcKW pic.twitter.com/K23M1ok3Ql
— DUA LIPAD (@DUALIPAD_) April 11, 2023
Funny how they use human rights to forward their agenda but at the same time laugh when human rights groups raise valid issues esp. involving uniformed personnel. If you’re really concerned about human rights, why are you against the ICC investigations on HRVs? Payaso. https://t.co/5LDby5gE2K
— bry (@IceBryn) April 11, 2023
Yeah, this will make the Philippines an even more desirable place for foreigners to get their education. And who shall educate the students of environmental protection and human rights? The very same military who allegedly protects loggers, strip mining and casually kills? https://t.co/0V6TKJ2dcU
— The Glittery Glare (@chonggo) April 11, 2023
Requiring foreigners to take it is tantamount of exposing our security architecture to spying.
And yes, let those who want to take it to take it, and others take an alternative if they do not want it. https://t.co/Yr9g9jncBH
— MIKEasaysayan (@michaeltabuyan) April 11, 2023
The senator restated their dedication to passing the mandatory ROTC bill within the current year and pointed out that only individuals associated with the political left oppose it.
“Majority rules. We live in a democratic country,” he said.
“Alam ko naman na kokonti lang naman yung mga estudyante na ayaw, lalong lalo na yung mga identified with the Left. Ayaw na ayaw talaga nila and we know that,” he added.
“Magparami muna sila para ang kagustuhan nila ang masunod dito sa ating bansa,” Dela Rosa concluded.
