A LEGISLATOR said Thursday that he supports cadet training for the police service to be offered to Senior High School (SHS) students undergoing the mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program.
The Senate on Thursday re-opened discussions on the proposed mandatory ROTC program for Grades 11 and 12. Senator Francis N. Tolentino said that as part of the program, basic training in police missions such a law enforcement, disaster preparedness, and traffic management should also be included.
The senator cited Malaysia and some cities in the US, whose police forces have cadet programs for basic traffic and disaster management.
“I would want you to look at the examples of Malaysia and the Los Angeles Police. In the Los Angeles Police, they have the Los Angeles Police Cadets (who are in) Senior High School. Sa Malaysia, ang pinagmamalaki nila (In Malaysia, they have) the Malaysia Police Youth Corps, which is similar to the ROTC,” he said during the committee hearing.
Mr. Tolentino filed Senate Bill No. 212 on July 2, which calls for the mandatory basic military and police training for SHS student in public and private schools.
On the other hand, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, an advocate of the mandatory ROTC, said that an ROTC program for SHS students nationwide will require a budget of P38 billion annually.
“If we cannot guarantee the P38 billion and we implement this haphazardly, we will not see a new and improved ROTC,” he said during the hearing.
Mr. Gatchalian refiled SB No. 177, which also calls for mandatory ROTC for SHS students, with the additional focus on disaster preparedness.
Last year, President Rodrigo R. Duterte certified as urgent a bill requiring high school students to undergo military training. — Gillian M. Cortez
