TWO or three years ago, the issue on the return in the offering of the Reserved Officers Training Corps (R0TC) Course among college students hit the headlines in the national papers.
Indeed, the issue met varied reactions from college students. Majority of our college students were against the proposal. Parents, as well, joined the discussion either pro or against. But, majority of them were also against the idea.
Eventually, it died a natural death. As to the reasons behind, only the concerned personalities can provide the answer.
But, with the recent events transpiring right in the corners of our dear Philippines, can the country’s authorities still remain silent on the issue?
What if China makes true its desire to enter the Philippine territory? Who will compose the first line of defense to our dear Philippines?
The Americans, the Japanese, the Britons, or the Australians to come to the Philippines to defend the Philippine territory?
And, we, the Filipinos only observing and watching the development?
What a very shameful atmosphere! But to Short Cuts, the Filipinos who bear the shame most are our national leaders who despite the importance and urgency of the issue still remain silent. Up to this date, Short Cuts have not heard nor read any comment from our national leaders as regards the issue.
They are as silent as our very deep blue ocean!
It is a matter of record that almost on two occasions Filipino fishermen had been harrassed by Chinese nationals while fishing right in our very own territory more than a year ago.
And, recently, a vessel of our own Philippine Coast Guard was hit by a water cannon while on a resuply mission at the West Philippine Sea.
Maybe disturbed by recent events happening within the vicinity of the West Philippine Sea, our country’s armed forces issued a notice. So that, TV records had it that our very own Armed Forces of the Philippines “may babala sa China Coast Guard: Mag ‘behave’, resuply mission sa Ayungin Shoal huwag harangan”
Considering the importance of the issues and concerns prevailing in our country these days as regards the country’s security, it is but urgent that our national leaders both from the executive and legislative departments MUST act now.
Before it is too late, ROTC must be offered as a mandatory course effective this first semester of school year 2023-2024.
“Strike while the iron is hot!” The saying goes.
And, dismiss military officials who will still do “monkey business” while managing the ROTC course! Because, if Short Cuts could still remember, one of the major causes for the cutting of the mandatory ROTC Course in the mid 1990s was CORRUPTION inside the ROTC offices in some colleges and universities in Manila.
Many cadets were made to pass and graduate the two-year course even without attending the military training!
