Petition for the Retention of the DLSU ROTC Training Program

Following the recent hazing allegations and issues faced by the 247th Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps Unit, De La Salle University-Manila, the DLSU Administration is planning on the suspension and looming abolition of the ROTC program in DLSU and DLS-CSB starting this Academic Year 2015-2016.

De La Salle University has a rich history in the rudiments of ROTC training. Since 1936, the DLSU ROTC Unit has been keeping its prestige and excellence as a distinct ROTC Unit nationwide. Because of the relentless effort of the members of this institution, the DLSU ROTC Unit was able to build its name as one of the model training institutions for ROTC, being adjudged ten (10) times as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Navy ROTC Unit of the Year, eight (8) times as the National Annual General Tactical Inspection Over-all Champion, eleven (11) times as the Local Annual General Tactical Inspection Over-all Champion, and (11) Cadet Officers were awarded by the President of the Republic of the Philippines as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Naval Reserve Command Cadets and Cadettes of the Year over the short period of fifteen years, from 2001-2015.

It is truly saddening that the recent issues and allegations the unit faced this year has stained its reputation and has shadowed its numerous achievements and contributions for the university, the community, and the country. The DLSU ROTC Unit is always at the forefront of producing capable reservists through the ROTC program. Not being able to mention the hundreds of socio-civic and humanitarian activities such as relief operations, bloodletting activities, coastal clean ups, feeding programs, tree planting, gift giving activities, medical missions, and house building the unit has conducted. The unit was also able to conduct various trainings such as first aid, traditional martial arts, disaster preparedness, and rescue operations to enrich the holistic development of the students.

The unit trains Lasallian students in the core values of Discipline, Loyalty, Service, and Unity. Our mission is not only to produce capable Naval Reservists but also to build character among the Filipino youth. To develop their patriotism and to hone their character and personalities, training them to become more confident, more active, and more involved for their personal and professional development as citizens of our country, to become Lasallian achievers for God and Country.

As an alumna/alumnus cadet who have gone through the rudiments of ROTC training, if you can testify that the DLSU ROTC Unit has in one way or another imparted a lasting good effect and important lessons on your professional and citizenship development, please help us stop the suspension and looming abolition of the DLSU ROTC program in DLSU and DLS-CSB by signing this petition letter. Tell the DLSU administration your experiences and values you learned in ROTC and why they should not suspend it. If possible, also please ask your parents to sign on the online petition by visiting this link: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/458/017/260/petition-against-the-abolition-of-the-dlsu-rotc-program/.

Also, please like and support our official Facebook campaign page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fight-for-DLSU-ROTC/371281989745890) and Cadets of ROTC page (https://www.facebook.com/FightForROTC)

Thank you very much. #FightforDLSUROTC