Is there a need to revive the Mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps (MROTC) that was abolished long ago due to the death case of Mark Welson Chua? After the Congressional Hearing of the newly revised Mandatory ROTC Bill, it has a greater likelihood of being approved due to the senate’s positive perspective on it. We strongly oppose and criticize the MROTC bill and its form, as well as the campus militarization that the Senate House prioritized. Not only will it jeopardize academic freedom and human rights, but now is not the time to push the Mandatory ROTC Bill because we have many problems that will devour us first, rather than the invasion of another country. 

Now we ask for our fellow students', teachers', and parents' help in holding the line that will determine the fate of future generations so that they will have the ability to express and exercise their own will to join any organization or institution.

We are going to state six reason for MROTC to be dismissed;

1. Added Expenses and Waste of Government Funds

2.  Burden and pressure it gives to the students, parents, and educators. We all know that this program requires a massive amount of physical strength or energy to be able to participate in this, and that could be a hassle for students who are not interested and passionate about pursuing a career relevant to Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC). This program can cause a huge impact on one’s overall well being and affect their lifestyle negatively. Aside from that, the K12 curriculum has already given so much burden to students, parents, and educators so having MROTC passed would give more problems to them. Educators already had to undergo extensive training to keep up and have the ability to teach the learning materials and lessons the K12 curriculum offers. Moving on with the students, the pandemic has already caused some students to drop out due to mental health reasons. Adding the MROTC to be part of their education would cause more burden to them as they are pressured to join the program because it is mandatory

3. Inherit the culture of violence, corruption, and blind obedience. The program would expose the youth to violence, abuse, harassment, and discrimination.

4. Promotes fake nationalism because mandatory ROTC is going to teach us how to love the country in a typical way, it encourages phony nationalism. Following the law and learning about Philippine history and culture are only a few of the numerous ways to advance nationalism.

5. It’s  a threat to academic freedom because I believe that school is referred to as a second home where kids should feel comfortable and free enough to do whatever they want and should not be used for military goals. Schools are designed to help kids find their own career pathways, and this should continue to be the case. It also puts an education gap on students if they stop and be enlisted in mandatory ROTC. It’s not a solution for boosting nationalism but rather a threat to academic freedom. 

6. It is not inclusive, and there is no reason for us to believe that MROTC will treat everyone equally or without discrimination.

There are those who agree with MROTC and those who do not; we are as black and white.  There are numerous pressing issues that will destroy us before invasion by other nations, so mandatory ROTC is no longer our top priority. Required ROTC can have both positive and negative effects on students and our country. It's a two-edged sword. Will there be transparency in a country like ours, where corruption is prevalent, in order to hold this Mandatory ROTC? It will devour us first. Students have already been through a lot as a result of the pandemic, and adding this to the mix is a bad idea. Mandatory rotc was abolished for a reason.