Ladies and gentlemen, while the Affirmative side paints a picture of

patriotism, disaster readiness, and discipline through ROTC, we must

examine not just the intentions of the policy—but the realities it will
create if made mandatory. The history of ROTC in the Philippines spans over
a century. I will not dwell on the pre-World War II period, during which
the Philippines was under American colonial rule. Instead, I will focus on
the period starting from July 1946, when the country gained independence
and began self-governance. From that point onward, I will explain why ROTC
has struggled to maintain a strong foundation in terms of effective
military training, fostering patriotism, or promoting responsible
citizenship.

Let us begin with the core of their argument: that ROTC builds patriotism
and discipline. Respectfully this is a HASTY GENERALIZATION But patriotism
cannot be mandated. Coerced patriotism is not loyalty—it is submission. A
nation earns the loyalty of its citizens not through drills or marching
formations, but through justice, equity, and freedom. Power-tripping within
the ROTC system has often escalated into physical violence. How can we be
assured that the reimplementation of mandatory ROTC will not mirror the
abuses experienced by previous generations? Two decades ago, ROTC was
abolished largely due to widespread reports of corruption and violations of
student rights. Alliance of Concerned Teachers Representative France Castro
has warned that making ROTC mandatory again could expose the youth to
corruption at an early age—an alarming possibility. The ROTC program has
faced repeated criticism over its history of violence against student
cadets. One of these tragic examples occurred in March 2001, when the body
of 19-year-old Mark Chua, an engineering student and ROTC cadet at the
University of Santo Tomas, was found floating in the Pasig River. He had
recently exposed corrupt practices within the university's ROTC unit. His
death became a catalyst for change, leading to the abolition of mandatory
ROTC a year later. Despite the establishment of the National Service
Training Program (NSTP) to replace ROTC, reports of abuse have persisted. .
It became optional through Republic Act No. 9163 or the National Service
Training Program Act of 2001.In 2014, for instance, two cadet officers at
the Polytechnic University of the Philippines were dismissed following
allegations of hazing and corporal punishment.

The Affirmative also claims that ROTC trains students for disaster
response, this is a prime example of a RED HERRING FALLACY. Thus it is
misleading. If disaster preparedness is the goal, then why not implement
specialized modules focused on first aid, logistics, and emergency
communication? These can be taught through *non-military civic programs*
such as the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), which has successfully
trained thousands of youth in community-based risk management, without the
baggage of militarism. In fact, a 2021 study by the Philippine Institute
for Development Studies (PIDS) concluded that CWTS graduates outperformed
ROTC students in community engagement and volunteerism.

Now, let’s talk about safety and abuse. While the Affirmative acknowledges
that “reforms” are in place, they downplay the reality on the ground.
Hazing and abuse are not isolated incidents. In 2023, reports from student
journalists across Metro Manila highlighted complaints of psychological
coercion, verbal abuse, and even injuries during ROTC training. One
whistleblower from a major public senior high school told Rappler, “We are
taught to follow, not to ask. That’s not patriotism. That’s fear.” Until we
can ensure 100% safe implementation, making ROTC mandatory is reckless. It
is worth noting that while the ROTC provides basic military training and
aims to strengthen national defense preparedness, no form of abuse
disguised as discipline can ever be justified. Learning cannot thrive in an
environment where authority becomes a tool for violence. We the negative
side strongly condemn the death of JP Mombay, a third-year criminology
student, due to hazing under the ROTC program—a tragic addition to the long
history of abuses linked to ROTC, including the deaths of Mark Welson Chua
in 2001 and Willy Amihoy in 2019. These cases expose the persistent
violence—physical, psychological, and even sexual—that the program fosters,
despite claims of reform. No set of “safeguards” can bring back lost lives
or justify the trauma inflicted. True justice for JP and all victims means
rejecting the return of mandatory ROTC and resisting the militarization of
our schools. Nationalism should not be built on fear, but on critical
thinking, civic responsibility, and respect for human rights. Reinstating
mandatory ROTC does not equate to fostering nationalism among the Filipino
youth. On the contrary, its history is marred by incidents of corruption,
abuse, and violations of student rights. The belief that ROTC instills
patriotism reduces the rich meaning of “love of country” to mere physical
endurance and combat training, overlooking deeper values like civic
engagement, critical thinking, and social responsibility.

The implementation of mandatory ROTC in colleges is projected to cost the

government P8 billion annually, a figure shared by Senate President Francis
"Chiz" Escudero after a meeting with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.
This cost would amount to P27.12 billion over five years for full
implementation. Escudero raised concerns about the government's ability to
allocate such funds, especially with competing budgetary needs for
education and healthcare. He also questioned the practicality of absorbing
the increased number of reserve force members from the mandatory ROTC
program. Although some senators support the bill with promises of
safeguards to prevent abuses, Escudero remains opposed to the measure,
citing the historical issues, including corruption and violence, that led
to ROTC being made optional in 2002 after the death of Mark Welson Chua.
The proposed P61.2 billion for mandatory ROTC is a questionable investment,
particularly given the ongoing education crisis in the Philippines. With
the country facing a severe shortage of classrooms, inadequate teacher
salaries, and outdated educational facilities, critics argue that this
substantial amount of money could be better allocated to address these
pressing issues. The focus should be on improving the quality of education,
which is essential for the future of the youth, rather than mandating
military training. Allocating funds for more classrooms, better learning
resources, and enhanced teacher compensation would have a far more
significant and lasting impact on the country’s development. In this
context, the mandatory ROTC program appears to be a misplaced priority, and
many believe it could divert attention and resources away from the more
urgent needs of the education sector.

Let us now address the issue of discipline. The Affirmative insists that
ROTC improves time management, teamwork, and resilience. But so do sports
teams, arts programs, student councils, and work-study internships—without
the authoritarian environment that ROTC often breeds. In fact, the
“discipline” promoted in ROTC is not always healthy. It often comes in the
form of shouted orders, physical drills, and blind deference to authority.
That is not the kind of leadership our youth need in the 21st century. We
need leaders who think critically, not just obey commands.

Furthermore, ROTC is outdated. It was created during the American colonial

period to train Filipinos for the U.S. military agenda. Why are we reviving
a colonial framework in a postmodern, democratic society? We should not be
teaching our youth how to march in formation—we should be teaching them how
to lead innovation, advocate for marginalized sectors, and build
communities from the ground up.

Finally, we confront the Affirmative’s argument about national defense.

Yes, a reserve force is important. But a compelled force is a weak one.
Studies show that people are more effective when they choose to serve.
Voluntary enlistment, through a strengthened optional ROTC or NSTP, creates
a pool of motivated, not coerced, young people willing to contribute to
national security.

Mandatory ROTC is not a solution—it is a shortcut that bypasses true civic

education. It threatens student rights, exposes them to outdated forms of
authority, and prioritizes military posturing over democratic engagement.
The Filipino youth deserve better. We do not become patriots by command. We
become patriots by choice, through education that empowers—not militarizes—
the next generation.
The proposal to reinstate mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
in the Philippines has sparked significant debate, with critics arguing
that it fails to address the core issues plaguing the country's education
system and does not effectively foster genuine patriotism among the youth.
According to a 2023 survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), 42% of
adult Filipinos believe ROTC should be optional, while only 35% support
making it compulsory . Notably, the Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan
(SPARK) contends that this support would be even lower if students'
opinions were more prominently considered, emphasizing that the primary
stakeholders—students—are often excluded from the conversation .([Social
Weather Stations][1])

Critics argue that mandatory ROTC does not tackle pressing educational
challenges such as inadequate funding, lack of resources, and outdated
curricula. Youth groups like SPARK and the National Union of Students of
the Philippines (NUSP) highlight that the program diverts attention from
these critical issues and may exacerbate problems like learning poverty and
mental health crises among students .([Bulatlat][2])

Furthermore, the historical context cannot be ignored. The mandatory ROTC

program was previously abolished in 2002 following the death of Mark Chua,
a student who exposed corruption within the system. . This incident
underscores concerns about potential abuses and the militarization of
educational spaces. Recent events, such as the hazing-related death of John
Matthew Salilig in 2023, have reignited fears about student safety and the
potential for abuse within such programs .([Wikipedia][3])

In light of these concerns, many advocate for alternative approaches to

instill patriotism and civic responsibility. Programs focusing on community
service, environmental stewardship, and civic education are seen as more
effective and inclusive means of nurturing national pride and active
citizenship among the youth. These alternatives aim to empower students
without exposing them to the risks associated with militarized training
environments.

In conclusion, while the intent behind reinstating mandatory ROTC may be to

promote discipline and patriotism, evidence suggests that it may not be the
most effective or appropriate means to achieve these goals. Addressing the
fundamental issues within the education system and exploring alternative
civic programs may offer more holistic and safer avenues for developing
responsible and patriotic citizens.
[1]: https://www.sws.org.ph/swsmain/artcldisppage/?artcsyscode=ART-
20230504010333&utm_source=chatgpt.com "Social Weather Stations | SOCIAL
WEATHER REPORT | 42% of adult ..."
[2]: https://www.bulatlat.com/2023/02/08/youth-groups-address-education-
crisis-ditch-mandatory-rotc/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Youth groups: Address
education crisis, ditch mandatory ROTC - Bulatlat"
[3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_John_Matthew_Salilig?
utm_source=chatgpt.com "Death of John Matthew Salilig"