SEN. Francis “Tol” Tolentino pressed for the retention of mandatory basic military and police training for all senior students at collegiate and technical vocational institutions.
In filing the enabling legislation embodied in Senate Bill 1565, Tolentino affirmed the goal is to implant on all college and senior-level students at vocational schools love of country and discipline, leadership and spiritual values, creative thinking, helping fellow men and women, and entice them to consider joining the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or the Philippine National Police (PNP).
As proposed, the enabling legislation requires that before graduation at private or public higher schools and technical vocational institutions, potential recruits should undergo two years of basic military and police anti-crime training programs where they will also be taught to respond in case of war, crime, accidents, calamity, local and national emergency.
According to Tolentino, it also includes training to regulate and unlock traffic gridlocks, helping women victims in distress and other tasks the policemen can do to help the community.
Moreover, it provides free service in government facilities in case of accidents in the midst of military and police training, as well as access and privileges in the AFP and PNP commissary and PX stores.
At the same time, it will ban “hazing or physical, sexual and psychological abuse, bribery and corruption” at training.
Upon completing the training course, the recruits can then enlist to be a member of the Armed Forces, National Police, Coast Guard, or enlist as jail guards or firemen.
Image credits: senate.gov.ph