Latest News

Eastmincom backs mandatory military service among youth

The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) on Wednesday expressed full support for the proposal of Mayor Sara Z. Duterte to make military service among 18-year-old Filipino youth mandatory, saying their role is vital to the country’s peace and development.

“We believe that the role of our youth in the peace, development, and stability of our country is vital given the current security situation both internal and external,” Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, the Eastmincom commander, said in a statement Wednesday.

Should she win as vice-president in the coming 2022 polls, Mayor Sara said she would ask Congress to pass a measure on the imposition of mandatory military service for all 18-year-old citizens, both male and female.

“In other countries, the youth aged 18 or above have to serve their armed forces mandatorily for two years,” Almerol said.

He also pointed out that aside from modernized assets, the country needs more forces to keep up with the demands of the defense sector, not only in times of conflict but also during natural disasters.

‘If the proposal will push through, we will have a massive human resource that can readily respond for humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations,” Almerol said.

He also cited that Duterte’s proposal will instill discipline, develop leadership, and nurture patriotism among the young members of our society, which are necessary to be acquired by our next leaders.

‘In fact, some of our great presidents and national leaders in the past have also served in the armed forces during their youth before they took the helm of the highest seat in our government and other national positions,” Almerol said.

He said the proposal will spare our youth from the indoctrination and recruitment of organizations that have links to the communist New People’s Army (NPA), violent extremist organizations, and other lawless elements.

“The communist NPA and other notorious groups take advantage of the vulnerabilities and idealism of our youth, especially students and Indigenous Peoples, to lure them in joining their lawless and criminal activities,” Almerol said.

Above all, he said the mandatory military service will create a generation of law-abiding and patriotic citizens that will contribute to the National Vision 2040: Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Buhay for all Filipinos.

Source: Philippines News Agency