DAVAO CITY , Philippines — In a time of uncertainty, there is a need to prepare the country’s younger citizens through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), according to former president Rodrigo Duterte.
“I strongly support the return of the basic military training, even if just minimal, because just in case…,” Duterte said in English and Filipino in an interview posted on Sen. Francis Tolentino’s YouTube channel last Saturday night.
The former chief executive said calamities and wars are bound to happen, and the ROTC would prepare the youth on what to do in case these happen.
“We don’t know when. Or, if it ever comes, more OK. When sometimes, the world is chaotic, and it might really get chaotic,” he said in Filipino.
“Mobilization is really challenging because people are on the run. It is very important that all of us, you, we know where to run – to report to the nearest military, police or whatever, and then line up and see what you can do for your country, especially catastrophic disasters,” he added.
Discipline, which is needed during these times, is very important, but is lacking among today’s youth, which is why ROTC is needaed, according to Duterte.
“In times of crisis, there has to be guidance, a direction and a determination to follow,” he said. “The ROTC is a good training ground. Believe me. Because that’s where you can learn how to command and how to obey.”
The former president pointed out that the military and the police could not take on the burden of organizing and taking care of the community in case of a major catastrophe, and it is during these trying times that those who have undergone ROTC can help.
“Those of you who went through the ROTC, at least you know how to gather and even call on the barangay, that this is what you will do. Not all barangay captains went through the ROTC,” he said.
Duterte stressed that ROTC does not take up much time – for just a few hours a week, students will learn discipline and the basics of survival.