Advantages and Disadvantages of Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

A research paper

presented to

Mrs.Annie Gedo Cruz

The English Department

Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino High School

A Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Subject

English 10

S.Y. 2018-2019

by:

Group 4: 10-Aguinaldo

Javillonar,April Janelle

Manzano,Cristal Mae

Reyes,Joanna

Ternida,Nicole

Abarra,Alberto Froilan

Morales,Christian Paul
 Acknowledgement

We thank Mrs. Gedo Cruz for the assistance with our research paper and for

the comments and suggestions that greatly helped us alot. We would also like to

show our gratitude to our parents for supporting us financially and guiding us

during the making of this research. A lot of effort and hard work were given for

this research, and for that, we acknowledge God for giving us strenght and

knowledge to finish this paper.

-The Researchers’
 Dedication

We dedicate this humble effort of ours, to our loving parents, who gave us

support, love and encourage us to be able to finish this research paper.

On behalf, we also dedicate this work to our loving English teacher, Mrs. Annie

Gedo Cruz, who taught and lead us to make this resarch paper to happen.

And specially, we also dedicate this to almighty God, who gives us strength and

knowledge for us to surpass this challenge.

-The Researchers’
 Table of Contents

Acknowledgement i

Dedication ii

Chapter I

Introduction 1

Topic Outline 2

Statement of the Problem 3

Definition of terms 3

Chapter II

Presentation and dicussion of findings 4

 Advantages and Disadvantages of ROTC to students

Thesis statement:

Although Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) aims to provide military

education and traning for students to mobilize them for natinal preparedness

there are some cases that do not benefit them instead they gain trauma and lose

their self confidence

I. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

A. Three components of the National Service Training Program

B. Republic Act 9163 – National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act

of 2001

II. Proposal of ROTC as a Senior High School requirement

A.Senate Bill 2224 sponsored by Alfredo Lim to make ROTC mandatory

B. Department of National Defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin, propose

ROTC mandatory for college

III. Advantages and Disadvantages of ROTC

A. Advantages of ROTC

B. Disadvantages of ROTC

IV. Issues behind the removal of ROTC in college

A. Deaths

B. Issues of overpowerment of Caget Officer

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Statement of the Problem:

This research aims to help the readers to understand the advantages and

disadvantages of Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) to students. This aims

to give clarification about the issue of approving ROTC as a senior high school

requiremnet. This study sought to find the answers to the following questions:

1. What is ROTC?

2. Whys does the government propose the revival of ROTC as a requiremnet

for senior high school?

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of ROTC?

4. What were the issues behind the removal of ROTC in college?

5. What are the reasons of the people from disapproving the proposal of

ROTC for senior high school requirement?

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Definition of terms

In order to help the readers understand this paper, we have here the definitions

of the terms used, this will serve as you basis of how each one was used in the

research paper.

Cadet-Officer – is a rank held by military cadets during their training to become

commissioned officers.

Department of National Defense- is the executive department of the Philippine

government responsible for guarding againts external and internal threats to peace

and security in the country.

Mandatory- must be done or demanded by law.

Reservist- is a person who is a member of the military reserve force.

ROTC- is an abbreviation for Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. A military

organization that trains people to become officersin the armed forces.

sought- simple past and past participle of seek

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 CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is a program proposed by the

government for colleges and senior high school students. In fact, the hazing and

corruption are the main reasons why National Service Training Program (NTSP)

Act of 2001 has been enacted. This program aims to provide military education

and training to students. The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps grants qualified

cadet-officer scholarship benefits. Although this program has its advantages, it

also has its disadvantages.

The main purpose of this research paper is to explain the advantages and

disadvantages of Reserve Officers’ Training Corps to students and parents. In

addition, this aims to detail the reasons why people disapproved the said proposal

of bringing back the ROTC as a requirement for senior high school, also to clarify

the issues behind the removal of ROTC in college before.

This paper will discuss the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and its advantages

and disadvantages, this will also discuss the proposal of ROTC as a requirement

for senior high school. In addition, this paper will expose the issues behind the

removal of ROTC in college and the reasons of the people from disapproving the

proposal of ROTC.

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 Chapter II

PRESENTATION AND DICUSSION OF FINDINGS

I. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

A. The three components of the National Service Training Program.

The National Service Training Program (NSTP), is a civic education and

defence preparedness program, studens instituted by the Government of the

Philippines on 5 January 2000 by virtue of Republic Act of 9163, otherwise

known as the “National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001.”

(National Service Training Program, 2018).

Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)

- is a program institutionalized under section 38 and 39 of RA 7077 designed

to provide military training to tertiary level students in order to motivate, train,

organize and mobilize them for defense preparedness.

Literacy Training Service (LTS)

- is a program designed to train students to become teachers of literacy and

numeric skills to school childeren, out-of school youth and other segments of

society in need of their services.

Civic Welfare Training Services (CWTS)

- refer to the programs or activities contributory to the general and betterment

of life for the members of the community or the enhancement of its education,

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enviroment, entrepreneurship, safety, recreation and morals of the citizenry.

(Argabio J. ,2017)

B. Republic Act 9163 – National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act

of 2001

National Service Training Program (NSPT)

- is a program aimed at enhancing civic consciusnes and defense

preparedness in the youth by developing the ethics of service and patriorism

while undergoing training in any of its three (3) program components. Its

various components are specially designed to enhance the youth`s active

contribution to the general welfare. (Congress of the Philippines Twelfth

Congress, 2002).

II. Proposal of ROTC as Senior High School requirement

A. Sebate Bill 2224

It is alarming to learn that after the enactment of Republic Act No.

9163, otherwise known as the National Service Training Program in

2001 which made the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

optional among male college students, those pursuing such military

training had drastically dropped indicating that either the government

has not inculcated the proper attitude to the youth to imbibe patriotic

ideals and love of country or that many young students simply are not

prepared to defend their motheland when the time comes to do so.

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 In Central Visayas alone,the AFP revealed that college students

pursuing military to become part of the reserve force dropped to a little

over 5,000 from a high of 40,000 when ROTC was still mandatory.

Thus, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is pushing to make the

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) mandatory again for male

college students because making it so will not only give life and

meaning to the constitutional provision as above-cited nut instill

disciplie among the youth and make them more committed to do acts

and deeds that serve the nation rather than indulge in fraternities,

drugs and other tendencies not conducive to their development (Lim,

A., 2006).

B. Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin

He said he is supporting proposals to make the ROTC mandatory

again , saying this would instill discipline among students while

increasing the country’s military forces. Some students are activists,

however, rejected the proposal, saying the ROTC is a waste of time

and is prone to corruption. There is also views that the mandatory

ROTC would force parents who are already burdened with numerous

school expenses to spend for uniforms (Romero, A., 2010).

Ealier this year, it was announced that the ROTC will be again

proposed to be revived. And the easiest mean is to offer it in Grade

11 and 12 of the senior high school. The ROTC was institutionalized

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 under Sections 38 and 39 of Republic Act No. 7077 (AFP Reservist

Act) to provide miitary training to tertiary level students in order to

motivate, train, organize and mobilize for national defense

preparedness. It gives emphasis on citezenship training and instills

patriotism, moral virtues, repect for the rights of civilian and adherence

of the Constitution. In 1967, Executice Order no. 59 was issued

making ROTC course a requirement in all colleges and universities.

In 2001, Republic Act 9163, otherwise known as the National Service

Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001 was issued making ROTC as optional

requirement course in colleges and universities. However, State Universities

and Colleges (SUCs) are required to maintain and provide the ROTC

component. Since the implementation of the NSTP Act in 2001, a rapid

decrease in ROTC enrollment was observe nationwide. This is a national

phenomenon that we Filipinos need to act to counter its negative effect to the

nation (Dr. Rex Casiple,2017).

III. Advantages and Disadvantages of ROTC

A. Advantages of ROTC

Effective implementation of ROTC is the key to eliminating

resistance to the program’s revival. Violation of students’ rights,

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 bullying and corruption among others can be prevented if the

government, through higher education institutions, will provide clear

cut policies and effectual modules for teaching the military program. If

guidelines are in place, and limitations and accountabilities are set,

then there can be no reason for students to fear enrolling themselves

in ROTC. The following are only four of the many reasons why the

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps should be part of our tertiary

education curriculum:

1. It is a potent tool in instilling discipline and nationalism among

young Fiipinos.

2. Disaster resillency and preparedness can be made part of the

ROTC.

3. ROTC cadets may also be a pool from which national athletes may

be selected to represent the country in various sports events.

4. Since the Universal Free College Education is already in effect,

the ROTC program can be part of said scholarship system.

Such can beachieved through the implementation of an effective

and transformative military training (Tolentino,F.,2017)

B. Disadvantages of ROTC

1. More responsibilities in college

You will have more mandatory commitments than the average

student. You must take the classes required for your ROTC

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 program in addition to all the classes required for your major . You

will have to participate in mandatory training events outside of

class time; this may eat up a chunk of your summer vacation too.

Additionally, if you receive a scholarship, you must maintain a

minimum GPA to retain eligibility.

2. Service Commitment

If you continue on with ROTC past sophomore year or receive an

ROTC scholarship at any point, you must serve in the military for

an eight-year period (both in active duty and in the Reserves. This

is not just a way get through college; the military will become your

career and life after graduation.

3. Financial Aid

Yes, there are a wide variety of scholarships available. However,if

you are thinking about participating in ROTC solely to pay for

college, the program might not be right for you. If you accept any

scholarship at all, you must join the military after graduation. Do

not participate just for the funding.

4. Consequences of dropping out

You may be forced to served as an enlisted soldier on active duty

or required to pay back any scholarship money you received (The

Pros and Cons of enrolling in ROTC,2019).

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 The revival of ROTC will give advantages and disadvantages to the

takers. On the advantage side, the ROTC may benefit students to

health and awareness. The training may cover many skills in basic life

support, firt aid, self defense, combat preparation, and survival,

among others. Students will gain self-discipline and leadership

experiences. On the other hand, some groups believe that revival of

mandatory ROTC requirement. ROTC helps you to become an

disciple person, responsible person, trust worthy person, Leadership

or the person that could become leader, while the disadvantages of

the ROTC is that you cannot use this kind of practies in the academic

performance inside the school but the only thing that military exercise

can contribute is to become a well disciplined person (Hetewuruis,

2017).

IV. Issues behind the removal of ROTC in college

“ROTC is a program that can never nourish discipline and love

for the country. It is bankkrupt to its core. It instills fear and

blindd obedience stemming from its fascist and corrupt nature.”

(LFS national spokesperson JP Rosos)

Reports of abusse still haunt the ROTC program 15 years after Chua’s

murder. In 2014, students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines

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alleged violence towards ROTC cadets, including the hazing of two female

cadets. The cadets involved were dismissed. During the same year, some

cadets from De La Salle University also alleged hazing in their ROTC unit,

resulting in a case against the corps commander and the suspension of the

university’s ROTC program the following year. Last July, a viral video showed

a cadet from the University of Mindanao-Tagum College repeatedly punched

in the gut while being told, “Kung mong maranasan ang naranasan ng senior

mo, tanggapin mo yan lahat!”. Last August, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian

commended Duterte’s plan and filed Senate Bill 200 or the Mandatory ROTC

Bill. Like Duterte, the neophyte senator is also a long-time supporter of

mandatory ROTC. As a Valenzuela representative, he filled in 2014 House

Bill 2388 whish aalso sought the mandatory ROTC revival. Last August,

Kabataan Party –List filed House Bill 2399 which seeks to completely abolish

the ROTC and expand the NSTP (Orlina, W.N,2016).

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