South China Sea: Philippines debates boosting war readiness through mandatory military training for students

Proponents of the Reserve Officers Training Corps bill say the programme will better prepare the Philippines to defend itself at all times

But critics say the costs of implementing it and doubts over its strategic impact mean efforts are better redirected towards modernising the military

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Philippine coastguard personnel are shadowed by a Chinese coastguard ship during a resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea earlier this month. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:00pm, 23 Mar 2024

Renewed talks on a bill that would reinstate a mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) programme in colleges and universities in the Philippines has sparked debate on whether it would be effective in strengthening the country’s military amid growing tensions in the South China Sea.

Senator Robin Padilla told local media on March 14 that he was getting “impatient” with the bill, which he filed two years ago and was languishing in the Senate.

In August, Padilla revived his call to pass the ROTC bill – which would require all full-time college students to receive two years’ training with the Armed Forces of the Philippines – in response to China’s coastguard using water cannons on Philippine vessels and fishing boats.

The part-time training programme would be held over four academic terms, coinciding with students’ studies. The Philippines already offers an ROTC programme that college students may take as a prerequisite to graduation, but it is not mandatory.

“Is the Philippines ready to defend itself?” Padilla asked his fellow lawmakers when calling for the bill to be passed.