Youth organizations, councils, and leaders visited the Senate President’s office on November 6 to express their opposition to the Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) bill proposed in the Senate. Along with the Kabataan Party-list, they presented the reasons for their opposition to the bill and their proposed alternative programs for the sector.

In a new petition from the No To Mandatory ROTC Network, they presented five reasons for opposing the program, namely, 1) mandatory ROTC is an added expense, 2) it promotes a culture of violence, 3) it will militarize campuses, 4) it will be used to prepare for war, and 5) it strips [the youth] of the right to choose instead of serving the community and civilian sector.

During the dialogue, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) chairperson Kej Andres presented a survey conducted by the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP). The survey showed that the majority of students in Catholic schools are opposed to the reinstatement of ROTC in schools.

University of Santo Tomas student leader Annie Nicholle Agon, also in the dialogue, shared that students at the university will never forget the dark and painful history of ROTC on their campus.

In March 2001, 19-year-old Mark W. Chua, a UST student, died in the hands of a fellow ROTC official at the university. Chua had exposed anomalies, corruption, and abuse within the UST ROTC, prompting the officials to persecute, retaliate and remove him from his position. This led to a massive protest to abolish the program in 2002.

Aside from this, the youth presented their 10-Point Youth Agenda and alternative bills, including the Student’s Rights Bill, Academic Freedom Bill, and Adequate and Accessible University Services Bill.

“We urge the Senate leadership to consider the position of the youth and give due attention to the legitimate issues raised by the sector,” the Kabataan Party-list stated.

The dialogue took place a few days after protests against the railroading of the proposed mandatory ROTC on November 4. Protests were held in front of the Senate in Pasay City, Taft Avenue, Morayta, España, and Santa Mesa in Manila, and in Quezon City.