NextGen Day

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stated on Thursday that requiring Filipinos to serve in the military will help develop patriotism among citizens and enable them to participate in nation-building initiatives.

In a statement to reporters, AFP spokesperson Col. Ramon Zagala stated, “We appreciate the plan as it is attuned to the times when the government is faced with difficulties and challenges, aligning with our goals for the citizens to participate in nation-building.”

This is in support of Vice Presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s request for all Filipinos to serve in the military once they reach the age of 18.

Mandatory military service, according to Zagala, would allow the AFP to build a robust manpower base.

“Mandatory military service will only serve us in establishing a foundation for strong armed forces, and thus a strong nation,” he stated.

The measure has also received support from the Department of National Defense (DND).

“The Department of National Defense supports the compulsory military service of 18-year-old Filipinos. There are several benefits: first, the military will have a ready and consistent pool of trained reservists to defend the country and assist with HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief); second, the training and discipline they will receive will make them better citizens; third, service to the country will be instilled in them “Delfin Lorenzana, the Secretary of Defense, said in a statement.

Lorenzana, on the other hand, predicted that the measure’s implementation would be fraught with difficulties.

“The first concern is money and resources. Training camps would need to be set up all over the country, and manpower and funding would need to be given to accommodate the millions of people who will turn 18 each year. Second, people who do not want to serve in the military are expected to raise complaints. Third, we are not in a war situation, thus a universal mobilization will be unnecessary “he stated

The preferable alternative, according to Lorenzana, is the introduction of a mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in private and public schools.

“We’ve already begun to put this into practice in state universities and colleges. This initiative, which is aimed at students in grades 11 to 12, will result in a large number of young people joining our reservists. We believe that the ROTC program’s output is more than adequate to meet our needs for warm bodies in times of conflict, tragedies, and disasters “Added he.

During the UniTeam Alliance’s virtual roadshow on Wednesday, Duterte said she would push Congress to approve a bill requiring all 18-year-old citizens, male and female, to serve in the military.

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