STUDENTS of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines denounced the proposal to revive the Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in Senior High School, noting its “negative” effects to the youth.

Defend PUP, an alliance of student organizations and students in the university, said that the revival of the program will only promote false nationalism, kill critical thinking and instill blind obedience. The group added that ROTC is a waste of funds and has a history of violence and abuse. It also violates national and international laws, the group claims.

Because of this, the group launched a petition for the PUP community to forward the measure that denounces the plans to revive MROTC.

The full petition can be accessed through https://forms.gle/m2hePHnQkH69XDs37

Mandatory ROTC was originally a part of the curriculum but it was removed after corruption and issues of abuse hounded the program.

It was made optional in 2001.