SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday said that eight out of 10 Filipinos support the implementation of the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in college.

Gatchalian based his statement on the result of a Pulse Asia survey conducted from March 15 to 19 this year which he commissioned.

The survey revealed that 78 percent of the respondents nationwide support mandatory ROTC in college, 13 percent disagree, 8 percent cannot say whether they agree or disagree while the rest said they don’t have enough knowledge to give an opinion on the issue.

It also said that one of the top reasons why the respondents support the mandatory ROTC is the belief that it will make young people learn discipline and responsibility and prepare students to defend the country and teach them leadership skills.

“Malinaw ang boses ng ating mga kababayan sa pagsuporta sa pagbabalik ng ROTC sa kolehiyo,” Gatchalian, co-author and co-sponsor of Senate Bill 2034 or the proposed ROTC Act, said.

“Kaya naman patuloy nating isusulong ang ating panukalang muling magkaroon ng ROTC sa kolehiyo hanggang sa maisabatas ito. Sa pamamagitan ng ROTC, maituturo natin sa mga kabataan ang disiplina, pagmamahal sa bayan, at kahandaang tumulong lalo na sa panahon ng mga sakuna,” the senator added.

Those who are against the mandatory ROTC believe that it will only increase cases of abuse, harassment, and hazing. Some also believe that it will just waste the time of youth which should be spent on studying.

Gatchalian gave assurances that the proposed law has safeguards. Grievance boards will be established to receive complaints or motu proprio conduct investigations on any complaint or allegation of abuse, violence or corruption.