Group prefers 'voluntary reserve force' over ROTC

THE Federation of Free Workers (FFW) on Friday called for a «voluntary reserve force» for national defense amid the West Philippine Sea dispute, saying its members are not in favor of a mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC).

«We are not convinced of a mandatory ROTC, but we are for a voluntary one — we hold that the hearts of Filipino volunteers are a stronger defense than those who are merely compelled,» FFW Vice President Jun Mendoza Ramirez said in a statement.

The labor group made the statement after they expressed their admiration for 51 personnel in the Senate who volunteered to serve in the Philippine Navy (PN) Reserve Force, in collaboration with the Naval Reserve Command (Navrescom).

The FFW lauded the volunteers' decision to join the Navy as «both commendable and inspirational,» as it came «at a critical time when the need for robust national defense mechanisms cannot be overstated.»

«This initiative underscores the vital role that voluntary service plays in bolstering our nation's security and fostering a sense of patriotic duty among Filipinos,» Ramirez stated.

«Many members of the youth, as well as workers, are ready to volunteer and join the reserve corps, and what the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should do is to invite them as citizen soldiers or give them information on how to be reservists,» he added in Filipino.

The labor group also said there are still challenges, which include the ROTC graduates not receiving or having no access to their serial numbers or even having outdated personal data sheets, or even having nothing at all from their community defense units.

'Senate 51' orientation

Last Wednesday (April 3) the Philippine Navy Reserve Command convened the Basic Citizen Military Course (BCMC) for the 51 civilian personnel of the Senate of the Philippines who are aspiring to become part of the reserve force.

Naval Reserve Force Acting Civil Military Operation officer ENS Reicherr Javier said the 51 Senate personnel will be part of the BCMC Class 10-2024, a pre-training program under the naval reserve force.

Navrescom commander, Maj. Gen. Joseph Ferrous Cuison, oversaw the convening ceremony that marked a