The ROTC program was established to realize the constitutional mandate to produce a strong citizenry to supplement the national defense system’s professional military. It was supposed to transform college students into gentlemen and be like true soldiers.

With a program like the ROTC- aimed to train young men to defend and kill, it just elucidates the government’s pessimistic desire of violence and all out offensives in times of conflicts. What about the efforts of negotiating bodies and international peacekeeping leagues like the United Nations where the Philippines is an avid member?

Most college students and the parents perceive steady deterioration of the program through time, as there has been no significant review in this military course, despite the number of complaints.

Young men consider ROTC as a wastebasket for effort, money and time. EFFORT- because energy used during hours of exposure to scorching heat and strenuous ‘physical practice’ weekly could have been allotted to doing house chores and, importantly, schoolwork. MONEY- its value now, more than ever, is stretched to its elastic limits. (The peso plunges P52-US $1). About P2000 that goes for the uniform should have been provided for expensive books and projects, not to forget the popular TFIs. TIME- what else can be said? Most (if not all) ROTC training are scheduled on Sunday- which for most traditions, religions and lifestyles- is supposedly the Sabbath day, day of QUALITY TIME with the family, resting day, and the day of the much-needed sleep.

Also, considering the compulsory drawn-out and over-regimented two-year program, in which ‘the student allegedly receives little instruction and benefit but much hardship and HARASSMENT,’ it is a cliché to hear cases of rampant abuses and irregularities. Reports include suspicious fees, extortion and bribery. In some schools, where majority of the students belongs to the upper social classes, ROTC has become an unofficial fundraiser, in which those who pay some few thousands of cash automatically receive a 1.00 (or similar grades). They survive college deluge without even experiencing those that the POOR, the MASSES, are encumbered with for four semesters of their miserable college life.

In the case of the University of the Philippines where there are no evident cases of bribery, cadets are obliged to attend ‘sunbathing sessions’ (the first training days being sunstroke sessions) every Sunday. The State University, just like other premier institutions that are with very high academic expectations, has students that have very minimal time to study, considering the fact that they get very PITIFUL hours of sleep, and are physically and emotionally STRESSED.

It is so saddening to know that the ROTC, which is the male students’ preview to the mighty military world, has sounded a deafening tune to the male youth. The young men, who should have been encouraged to become true soldiers and heroes of the nation, are rather BLOODSTAINED with abusive impressions.

Last December, Mark Welson Chua, a cadet officer of the ROTC of the University of Santo Tomas, along with more students, ‘filed a complaint of irregularities with the Department of National Defense (DND) against the UST Department of Military Science and Tactics. The DND gave due course to the complaint and later relieved the entire brass of UST-DMST. It was arguably the first time that a school’s top DMST brass was relieved.’

‘But before the euphoria of the victory of justice and fair play subsided, Mark Chua was KIDNAPPED last March. His hands were bound, his face was gagged with packaging tape, and his body dumped in the Pasig River, where it was found days later.’

It seems that ‘CASUALTY’ will be the password before the authorities will take actions. Regular HARASSMENTS- no way.

ROTC, presently, is a must. It is against the will of most male students. There could be at least one ROTC program that is purely in accordance with the objectives for which it was established. But without a major conversation about present ROTC, the fears casted on the students and their families will linger.

There have been many institutions that have shared their sentiments about ROTC like the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) and the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU). The University Belt Consortium, for instance, has given their official statement in “The ROTC: Excising a Cancer.”

But most UNFAIR is that the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) has backed up an OPTIONAL ROTC only for private tertiary schools- does not include state universities and colleges like the University of the Philippines- where abuses are equally felt (if not more prevalent).

But until the seemingly ROTTING authorities will undertake no significant action, the fight of Mark Welson Chua continues.

The ABOLITION of the ‘college curse’ has been a major issue but it seems that it will remain that way. The erstwhile Congresses failed to pass the bill regarding the ROTC program.

However, if the authorities cannot totally abolish the ROTC, more HUMANE options can still be discussed. Some of which are made by the author of this article.

There are precisely still some that have chosen to pursue the ‘ROTC career,’ the officers and cadets aspiring to be military men. Thus, the ROTC program must not be COMPULSORY so it will not be against anybody’s will and only those who are willing to take the risks will still be admitted.

It that happens, producing strong-willed civilians with well-built character and disposition can still be achieved. When ROTC finally becomes VOLUNTARY, the students can either have their PE for four years (as schools provide PE for two years) or become members of a civic organization of their CHOICE. Four years of Physical Education can evolve the students into qualified athletes as they can specialize in a specific sport for the rest of their academic years. Though loads will be greater, it will be more worthwhile and less strenuous.

Meanwhile, there are numerous organizations that have better and more effective methods of promoting true camaraderie and instilling fine character and responsibility- without a single trace of PHYSICAL TORTURE- which ROTC has been regarded with for years.

Among them are the following: The Young Men’s Christian Association (YWCA)- a nonsectarian organization that provides athletic, recreational, cultural, and educational services to members. It conducts vocational instruction, night classes, sports activities, social events, camping trips and CIVIC TRAINING.

The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA)- a nonsectarian organization that seek to advance the PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL and SPIRITUAL interests of young women and their associates (the young men).

The Red Cross Youth of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)- an organization of VOLUNTARY SERVICE, welfare service for war victims and peacetime services like maintaining blood banks, training for FIRST AID and water safety, and caring for victims of such disasters as floods and fires.

Scouting (Boy Scouts of the Philippines)- a movement with objective to help BUILD CHARACTER, citizenship, and physical and mental fitness by training members in wood, field and handicraft activities, by encouraging COMMUNITY SERVICE, and by organizing SURVIVAL CAMPS.

These groups have been in activity for a long time now and have no record of major violence and do not ‘demoralize’ men..

Since most of these associations are most active in the high schools, the tertiary level authorities and the government should coordinate with these civic organizations if they are truly committed to produce better citizens.

Expenses of students for this option must also be considered, however. Membership in these organizations may need some fees, just like the ROTC, but the money spent is worth all the hours spent wisely (and SAFELY)- without instances of hitting heads and stomachs.

DISCIPLINE must always come with RESPECT for one’s HUMAN RIGHTS. It is definitely better to be closer to GOD, with tranquil emotion, rather than be closer to GUNS and with BELLIGERENT attitude. It is more fulfilling to save lives rather than to kill lives in times of war.

The nobility of defending the nation is the role of the military and those that chose to be bred in true military schools, not of those institutions that force their innocent and defenseless students.

The ROTC program may have started with excellent origins and objectives. Mark Chua may have thought this way. But as the ROTC rots through time, it merely preys on the innocent youth- those that envision themselves as future politicians, doctors, lawyers, scientists- who need the right and appropriate training.

Indeed, the ROTC program is very MANLY, but with the results, it has become INHUMANE.

Are we goin to wait for another Mark Welson Chua?



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