SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE

IMPLEMENTATION OF RESERVE OFFICERS’

TRAINING CORPS (ROTC)

INTRODUCTION

This chapter introduces and presents the Background of the study, statement of the problems,

significance of the study, scope and delimitations, and the definition of terms on the Senior

High School Students’ Perspectives on the Implementation of Reserve Officers’ Training

Corps (ROTC)

Background of the Study.

With the recent issue regarding to the Re-Implementation of Mandatory Reserve

Officers’ Training Corps or in short ROTC to Senior High School Students as supported by

the new DepEd Secretary: Vice President Sara Duterte, Mandatory ROTC has been a very

hot topic especially for those greatly affected by it such as Senior High School Students since

if this program is Implemented it would cover all Senior High School Students to

involuntarily join the said program. The Program has been plagued with controversial

problems and anomalies for cadets/students such as Hazing, Degrading Mental Health

Problems, and even deaths, during its past implementation before it was abolished in 2002

prior after the death of Mark Chua, a student of the University of Santo Tomas whose death

exposed the many problems within the Cadet Corps.

Mandatory ROTC is where students affected by this program would be taught with Military

Discipline, Ideals, Patriotism, and Military education, many support the proposed

Implementation of Mandatory ROTC as they say it “help” students or the youth to be exact,

be disciplined and that it is best for us to have love for the nation. But many also opposes the

proposal stating that it is useless to have this type of program since it just adds to the already

burden and stressful K-12 program, that our country does not have surrounding threats and

lastly due to the last implementation of the programs’ anomalies. Despite all of these, it is
still the best interest to analyze what effects, problems, or situations it may bring once the

program is implemented and how it will affect students’ lives etc.

Although most students and citizens have various opinions regarding to the Implementation

of Mandatory ROTC, it is best to know and study the perspective of Students affected by the

program, and that opinions can be used whether to show support or be against the

implementation of Mandatory ROTC and to further analyze and study more the background,

effects, and the curriculum or activities of this program.

This study generally aims student’s opinion and perspectives and to also identify the impacts

it will bring to SHS students if it gets fully approved and implemented by the DepEd.

Following questions below shall be answered:

1. How will it affect student’s time, education, Mental and Physical health?

2. What Measures will the students do in Mandatory ROTC

3. What do the students think or feel about the implementation of Mandatory ROTC

Scope and Delimitation of the Study.

This research is focused on assessing the views and knowledge of senior high school students

on the effects of ROTC on its academic performance. This research study focuses on the

perception of the students in the reinstatement of mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training

Corps in the Philippines under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice

President Inday Sara Duterte. This study can help to open reader’s awareness of government

initiatives and gain knowledge about the Mandatory Reserve officer Training Corps.

Therefore, this study only sought out student’s insights, opinions, perceptions about the

effects of Mandatory ROTC.

This study will be conducted in Ilocos Norte National High School. The selection of the

respondents is only Senior High School Students in Ilocos Norte National High School and

are open to all strands of SHS.

This study once conducted, will determine the relationship effects of various INNHS SHS

students, particularly on its effects of health (Physical and Mental), Education, behaviors, et

al. And to further investigate, gain information, opinions and knowledge from Senior High

School students that can help our research study.

Sectors below will benefit from the study:

 Students: The Students will benefit from the study as they are our main respondents.

Their Opinions and perspectives towards the implementation of ROTC would greatly

benefit our study on understanding how it will affect them once implemented.

 Parents: Our study on their Children’s Opinions and perspectives will also benefit

them as the information it provides will help them gain knowledge about the proposed

implementation of the ROTC, its impact, and how it will affect their children’s

behavior and their family relationships. The study will also help the parents on what

efforts they can bring that can help their children.

 Teachers: The Teachers will benefit from the study by which the research study will

help them know what impact it may bring to their student’s education, Mental and

Physical health, and behavior. Through the study, the teacher may become

consciously aware of their student’s education and the effects of the Implementation

to help and guide them.

 Administrator: The Research study will help the school administration on their

monitoring of student.
Definition of Terms.

The purpose of the Definition of terms in our research paper is to provide clarification on the

terms utilized in our research to have parallel understanding with the readers.

Anomalies: Actions that show departure from what is right in accordance to a certain rule or

form.

Cadet: College students who undergo military training, they are people who are training to

be officers.

Corps: Group of people who work collaboratively for a common cause.

Hazing: In military training, hazing is common and it serves as a punishment to those who

had committed mistakes. It is an act of violence which includes hitting and slapping. It also

torments cadets psychologically and emotionally.

Implementation: It is the execution of decisions or laws.

Officers': People who underwent military training in college.

Reserve: A person retained for future use, a reservist.

Training: Something that cadets had undergone and is undergoing. This is where they are

taught fighting and survival skills. This is how they learn military training.

Mandatory: An obligatory requirement ordered by the government, agencies or a type of

organizations to those people/citizens under them.

Patriotism: One’s devotion and support for the country

This chapter reviews the existing Review of Related Literature that would show relevance

and authenticity of the study and provides explanations, better understandings, and logical

connections between previous and present researchers that will also serve as a guide and tool

for readers and future researchers of this study.

Related Literatures

Concept of Mandatory ROTC.

The Mandatory ROTC Senate Bill No. 2232 straight-forwardly implies on the interest of

the students particularly Senior High School students aged 16 to 17 Years old to undergo

comprehensive military training and disciplinary skills. Understanding the concept of

Mandatory ROTC would enrich senior high school students’ knowledge and opinions

towards Mandatory ROTC as well as the people’s thoughts on what to expect regarding to the

proposed aforementioned program.

While avoiding the miserable past of Mandatory ROTC that implies to the case of the

aforementioned Cadet Officer Mark Chua studying on University of Santo Tomas that

involves corruption and murder, our president instills that this will serve as a way to promote

“patriotism, love of country, moral and spiritual values, respect for human rights and

adherence to the constitution (Chen, RRL Mandatory Rotc, 2019). In the State of the Nation

Address of the past President Rodrigo Duterte, he reiterated his immense support for the

approval of the bill, arguing that it would “strengthen” the defense of the country (Bonz

Magsambol, 2019). According to. Faith Argosino (2022) Mandatory ROTC is a military
 concept for the youth tasked to provide Military training, motivate, organize and mobilize

them for a national defense preparedness.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Mandatory ROTC.

There are various opinions by students and the people towards the possible advantages and

disadvantages of Mandatory ROTC to senior high school students. According to. Atienza and

Magkilat (2018) “Along with the sense of discipline and patriotism that one gets from active

involvement in ROTC is the readiness to fulfill the ultimate responsibility of defending the

Philippines from foreign aggression considering that the defense of the state is the duty of

everyone”. The in need of military readiness and preparations is an obsessed ideal by most

officials and citizens due to the fact that foreign aggression is imminent most especially that

the issue regarding the West Philippine Sea territorial dispute with China, although officials

deny that China is the reason why there is a need for Mandatory ROTC. Disaster

Preparedness is also one of the key advantages of implementing Mandatory ROTC, stated by

De Leon (2022) “Disaster preparedness is also important among Filipinos given that the

country is frequently struck by typhoons, in addition to other natural disasters, such as

volcanic eruptions and earthquakes”. Implying that there would be additional manpower that

will help in times of despair and calamity, posing as rescue forces or a great helping force in

general if Mandatory ROTC is implemented.

Although Mandatory ROTC has advantages, there are also disadvantages of Mandatory

ROTC. Many students and citizens alike oppose the idea of Implementing Mandatory ROTC

to students as some say “adds burden” to the already struggling and stressed senior high

school students