SENATOR Francis Pangilinan believes that young Filipinos should be encouraged to farm instead of making them render mandatory military service.

Pangilinan said funds that will be spent on mandatory military service should instead go to food security training.

“Tutol tayo sa military service. Hindi naman po military service ang priority ngayon at malaking halaga ang igugol diyan. Sa ngayon pa lang about P2 million to P9 million. Ang laking pondo niyan. Sa halip na dalhin sa military training, bakit ‘di na lang dalhin sa food security training?” he said.

The senator added that the country need not worry about war breaking over conflicts in the West Philippine Sea since disputes can be resolved through diplomacy.

“Sa West Philippine Sea, hindi kailangan mauwi sa giyera. Ang mga nagsasabing gigiyerahin natin sila ay hindi tama,” he said.

“’Yung Indonesia nga pinapasabog pa ‘yung mga illegal Chinese vessels doon, hindi naman nauuwi sa giyera. Diplomasya at pagpupursigi ng ating karapatan ang solusyon,” Pangilinan added.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is running for vice president, backed proposals to make military service mandatory for Filipinos who are at least 18 years old.

A survey among the youth, however,  showed that majority frowned on the plan to make Filipinos render mandatory military service.