In recent years, the number of students at the University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio who enrolled in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program has continued to decline. In the academic year 2024-2025, reports showed that not one student expressed interest in the program.

According to Anakbayan UP Baguio, students’ complete rejection of ROTC resulted from the youth student movement’s annual campaign against the fascist program. ROTC is one of three courses that may be taken under the National Service Training Program (NSTP) in universities nationwide.

The group explained its firm opposition to ROTC, citing its grim history filled with violence and human rights violations against students. It added that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police also use the ROTC to establish a Student Intelligence Network in universities, which gathers intel on progressive students and activists.

The group further stated that the military and police use ROTC to allow state armed forces free access to universities, violating academic freedom. They also weaponize the program to carry out the repressive Red-tagging campaign against activists and students.

“We challenge the current UP Baguio administration to allocate the university’s funds toward programs that genuinely serve the majority of the academic community, such as establishing a human rights education program, instead of channeling the budget to despicable state fascist instruments like ROTC,” the group urged the UP Baguio administration.

The group urged fellow students to stop supporting the program in the coming semesters and years. Anakbayan UP Baguio also reiterated its call for the total abolition of the ROTC program in college.