Duterte said In a statement on April 23, 2015, the Philippines cannot rely solely on its mutual defense treaty with the United States, hence, the Reserved Officers Training Course (ROTC) can help “build up a credible self-defense force”.
“While we expect the US to come to our aid if [we are] attacked by a foreign force, the country must also be self-reliant. And to build up a credible self-defense force, the country must restore the ROTC that was once part of the college curriculum,” says Duterte.
Duterte had his ROTC at the Lyceum of Manila. “Our young men are presently too preoccupied with texting, Facebook, and other social media diversions that they don’t even know how to handle a rifle like we used to during our time,” he added.
Duterte said that if properly implemented, the ROTC can influence “discipline, nationalism, and the patriotic duty” in young men – values that will prepare them against potential risk of aggresion between China and Philippines.
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| Taken in 2003, showing Duterte checking the assault riffle of a police officer. Photo by Rene Lumawag |
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