FORMER Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile criticized those who oppose the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, saying that young Filipinos will benefit from the training.

“’Pag ako masusunod, ‘yang mga estudyante na ‘yan na ayaw magserbisyo sa militar, ‘wag n’yong pag-aralin,” the chief presidential legal counsel said.

The former Defense chief stressed the need for Filipinos to learn to fight in time of war since “there’s no option but to kill.”

“Sa giyera, walang option, tatamaan ka ng bala, tatamaan ka ng missile, tatamaan ka ng bomba, patay ka. At kailangan pumatay ka rin kundi wala,” he said.

“Kayong ‘di nakaranas ng giyera, magsisi kayo pag wala kayong training,” the former senator added.

Enrile was reacting to a Social Weather Stations survey showing that 35 percent of those polled supported the inclusion of ROTC as a mandatory course for Grade 11 and 12 students, 42 percent wanted the program to be optional, while 22 percent expressed opposition to it.

He derided those opposed to mandatory ROTC, saying they are not Filipinos.

“Umalis kayo dito. Hindi kayo Pilipino,” Enrile said.