Become an inspiration to the youths so they will embrace discipline.
This was the call made by Senator Robin Padilla to the “elite” Scout Rangers of the Philippine Army.
Padilla, a reserve Captain in the Philippine Army, voiced hopes the Scout Rangers’ heroism will lead the youth to undergo Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and military training.
“Sana maging halimbawa tayo sa kabataan na yakapin nila ang military training… Sana kayo ang maging daan para ang mga kabataan, magkaroon ng inspirasyon at susunod sa inyong mga yapak,” the legislator said at the conclusion of the Scout Ranger Course Class 220-2023 at the First Scout Ranger Regiment in Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan.
“Kailangan natin ng disiplina at disiplinang yan makukuha sa military training.”
“Kailangan natin ng disiplina at disiplinang yan makukuha sa military training,” the lawmaker added, urging the Scout Rangers to become “ambassadors” for the passage of bills for mandatory ROTC.
“Sana dumating ang panahon makita ko rin na magkaroon tayo ng medyo malayo sa pangarap pero mandatoryong military service sa kabataan natin,” the senator expressed.
Padilla said he has great respect for the Scout Rangers because of their role in liberating Marawi from terrorists in 2017. He said he was touched by their readiness to sacrifice their lives for the Muslims in Marawi.
Now, Padilla said, he is saddened that while youths as young as 10 in other countries today know how to disassemble and reassemble firearms, their counterparts in the Philippines are playing with mere toys.
“Nakakalungkot isipin yan sapagkat walang dedepensa sa bayan natin kundi tayo mga kabataan natin,” he stressed.
Padilla – who was awarded a Scout Ranger Honorary Badge – promised to fight for the budget of the Scout Rangers for 2024.
Meanwhile, he reiterated the need to prepare the youths to fight “external threats”, noting recent developments abroad may affect the Philippines.
Padilla said he cannot understand why some sectors suggested “sports training” as a replacement for ROTC.
He said that while he is not against sports training, this is different from military training where soldiers are prepared to sacrifice their lives for the country.
“Iba ang sundalo, magmula sa unang araw pa lang ng pagpasok hanggang pagkatapos ng training mo isa lang nasa utak mo: Giving your life to the country. ‘Yan ang kailangan natin sa panahon ngayon,” Padilla stressed.
“Ihanda natin ang ating mga kabataan sa external threat.”
“Yan ang kailangan natin ngayon. Ihanda natin ang ating mga kabataan sa external threat,” he added.
Padilla advised the Scout Rangers not to allow the youths to become just “keyboard warriors” in defending the country.
“Isa na lang po ang aking bilin sa inyo. Huwag po naging pabayaan na ang ating kabataan ay matapang na lang sa keyboard. Hindi ganyan ang Pilipino. Huwag tayong pumayag na hanggang keyboard na lang kabataan natin, hanggang TikTok na lang,” he concluded.
