DESPITE its supposed objective of instilling nationalism, discipline and respect for human rights among the Filipino youth, the ROTC only teaches students brutality, fascism, corruption and impunity.
With the fascist and brutal record of the Duterte government, they do not have even an ounce of moral ascendancy to teach the youth about respect for human rights. And with Duterte’s subservient attitude towards US, China and other foreign powers by selling out our resources, territory and patrimony in exchange of foreign loans and support to his tyrannical rule, they are not worthy to teach the youth nationalism and patriotism,” said Salinlahi Secretary General Eule Rico Bonganay.
“Duterte cannot fool us! He’s delusional for thinking that he can hide his ill motives in reviving the ROTC. What Duterte really wants is to instill to the minds of youth the culture of violence and impunity,” emphasized Bonganay claiming that the Armed Forces of the Philippines which is tasked to train students under the ROTC program are involved in numerous human rights violations including cases of military attacks on Lumad schools in Mindanao.
“Under the Duterte administration, such violations have been recorded affecting Lumad-initiated community schools in Mindanao in the form of military encampment, destruction of school facilities, vilification, threat, harassment and intimidation and the forcible closure of schools. Cases of extra-judicial killings of school personnel and parents of Lumad students are likewise recorded. Aside from these violations, some Lumad leaders and educators were illegally arrested and detained over trumped up charges.” Bonganay pointed out. - SALINLAHI ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN’S CONCERNS