Former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Bato dela Rosa is supportive to the revival of the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) being pushed by President Rodrigo Duterte for senior high school students.
Dela Rosa, a recently retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, said he supports the initiative of the President, noting that ROTC will develop discipline and a sense of patriotism among the youth.
He added that the present police and military strength is not enough to defend the country should the need arises.
“The number of PNP and military men is not enough to defend the country when the need arises.”
“Sinong tatawagin natin, yong mga reservists? Sila ay mga volunteer lamang at kokonti sila (Who are we going to call when the need to defend our land arises? The reservists? They are only volunteers and few in number,” Dela Rosa said.
“Who are we going to call when the need to defend our land arises? The reservists? They are only volunteers and few in number.”
In his speech at the program held at the Bayambang Event Center in Bayambang, Pangasinan, Dela Rosa talked about his advocacy -the campaign against illegal drugs, which is also one of the main thrusts of the administration.
Dela Rosa reminded students to keep away from drugs and focus on their studies.
He also encouraged barangay residents to be vigilant and prevent drug pushers from entering their areas.
Dela Rosa added that the intense war on drugs being waged by President Duterte was sustained by the PNP even after his stint as PNP chief had ended.
He believes the drug-campaign will become an issue or a “big talk” in the coming 2019 midterm elections.
Dela Rosa and his group of riders went to Bayambang to attend the flag-raising program and for a “meet and greet” with the residents.
The program led by Mayor Cesar Quiambao and the members of the Sangguniang Bayan was attended by students, barangay health workers, officials from 77 barangays, and local government employees.
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa commended Quiambao and Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste for the “drug-cleared” status of their respective localities, as declared by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 1.
Alaminos City was the first ever city in Region 1 to be declared by PDEA as “drug-cleared.”
