SENATOR Robinhood Padilla on Saturday said that he is “99 percent sure” the past abuses that hounded the Reserve Officers Training Corps or ROTC program won’t happen again as he cited the professionalization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and current laws penalizing hazing.

Padilla, a vocal advocate of basic citizens’ military training, also reiterated that ROTC is not just about handling firearms but also about self-defense and helping in times of calamities.

“Naniniwala ako 99% kasi lagi tayo nagbibigay ng 1% sa nakasulat sa kapalaran, pero 99% ako naniniwala ang ating AFP napaka-professional, at maha-handle nang tama ang pagsasagawa kung papasa ang mandatory ROTC training. At ito kailangan natin gawin ngayon na, ” Padilla said.

“Marami na tayong batas patungkol sa anti-hazing… Yan sinisigurado natin meron talagang karampatang parusa. At kahit sa PMA ngayon mahigpit ang PMA sa pagpatupad ng walang pagaabusong physical. Ganyan din sa training ng ating enlisted personnel pinagbabawal yan lalo sa kabataang papasok sa ROTC,” he added.

Padilla also pointed out it is not right to associate hazing and other abuses with ROTC, BCMC or military training, since hazing has also occurred in other organizations such as fraternities.

He also said that in his almost two years as part of the strategic communication unit of the Philippine Army and its Civil Military Operations, he saw the AFP’s professionalism.

“Napaka-imposible magkaroon ng pagpaulit ng experience ng ating henerasyon, ” he said.

“Sa totoo lang ilang beses ako gumagawa ng talumpati sinasabi ko sana dumating ang panahon magkaroon ng parehong disiplina ang pulitiko ng sa militar, ang chain of command at aksyon kaagad. Kung yan ang matututunan ng ating kabataan — aksyon kaagad at grandstanding ay isantabi — maganda po at matututunan ng kabataan sa military at darating sa ROTC. Aksyon kaagad at disiplina ang kailangan natin, ” he said.

Padilla, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Philippine Army, also said it is in ROTC where youth learn not just to be warriors – but to maximize their skills such as computer expertise, to help the nation. Even those with physical challenges will get opportunities to contribute, he said.

“’Di kailangan gumapang o hawak ng baril. Ang kagalingan ng kabataan, pwedeng i-maximize tulad ng magaling sa computer, ang daming paraan. Di sinabing ROTC e puro sa pagiging mandirigma lang. Ide-develop natin ang ating mga kabataan, ” he said.