Sorita, meanwhile, said the values of the ROTC program should be emphasized to make it more

appealing to students.

"The crucial aspect here is not to be a super-imposing figure to them, but to inspire them to follow your
values," he said. "If they find that it is a nice value, they will change. This generation has to be inspired
so that the values you want them to follow will eventually sink in to them."

Sorita believes the youth should have a choice in serving the community, either through the ROTC or
through community service, and echoes Licuanan's idea that ROTC is not the only way to show love for
country.

CNN Philippines Digital Producer VJ Bacungan contributed to this story.

'Reaction formation'

But for sociologist Bro. Clifford Sorita, the youth may resist mandatory ROTC training.

"If you force them, the only thing that will happen is 'reaction formation,'" he said. "Sometimes, they try
to rebel if you impose something on them."

'Culture of violence'

Even after the program was made optional "a culture of violence remains," said Elago.

In 2016, cadets in a northern Philippine university complained of physical and sexual abuse. Women
were even reported to have been forced to sleep in the quarters of male officers.

Female cadets in Manila and in the southern region of Mindanao also reported physical and sexual
abuse, including an attempted rape.

"These are manifestations of a rotting culture bred inside the program," said Elago.

Catholic Church leaders also voiced concern over the revival of the program due to "hazing, deaths, and
anomalies."

"These are issues that must be taken into consideration in implementing the program," said Father
Jerome Secillano of the public affairs committee of the bishops' conference.

The priest said schools should monitor activities related to the program to avoid abuses.

"Our schools should also show their preparedness in managing the resources of the program to avoid
corruption," said Father Secillano.

'Militarization' in schools

The revival of mandatory ROTC will also revive "militarization" in schools and "gives a free pass for
heightened military operations," said Elago.
She said the recruitment of cadets to spy on fellow students and activist groups "clearly translates to an
attack on our youth and the people, and a violation of their rights."

"What we need as a nation, now more than ever, is not an army of young men and women trained in
the ways of the military but an army of volunteers and advocates ready to serve and uphold the needs
of their communities," said the young legislator.

Rosos of the League of Filipino students said the program, which will be under supervision of the
military, "can never instill genuine love for country."

The student activist said the training program "holds an abusive and violent history," adding that it relies
on physical, verbal, and psychological abuse.

"[The program] is nothing but fascist machinery that needs to be taken down," Rosos added.

The proposal still has to get the approval of Congress.

Source: UCAN