ROTC Games in Zamboanga successful

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Following the successful holding of the Philippine ROTC Games (PRG) Mindanao Regional Qualifying Leg here, The Luzon leg of the weeklong tournament will be held in Tagaytay City on September 17.

Senator Francis Tolentino answers questions from journalists during the closing of the Philippine ROTC Games Mindanao Regional Qualifying Leg in Zamboanga City on Saturday, September 2, 2023. (Photos by Al Jacinto)

This was confirmed by Senator Francis Tolentino, who flew here on Saturday to close the historical games. He said the cities of Manila and Pasig will host the National Capital Region leg from October 8 to 14 as well as the National Championships from October 22 to 27. 

ROTC refers to Reserve Officers' Training Corps which is tasked to train and develop college students in the rudiments of military service in order to produce capable Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reservists.    

 

“We came together once more today for the closing ceremony of the Philippine ROTC Games 2023 Mindanao leg. The past days showcased the incomparable athletic talents of our cadet athletes, their unity and cooperation, and the discipline and perseverance that military service training has inculcated in them. The last seven days have indeed been filled with excitement and adrenaline for our cadet athletes, competing and battling for both honor and deeper bonds of friendship. We thank you for your collaboration in making this PRG Mindanao leg a remarkable success,” he told journalists covering the event.

 

He said that even Senator Aquilino Pimentel joined the Philippine Navy Reservists. “Halos lahat (ng mga kilalang tao) sumasama na sa military reservists,” Tolentino said, as he recalled that there is a law that mandates Filipino who reached at the age of 18 to draft in the military, but was never followed.

 

“So, sa ngayon walang plans to revive the mandatory drafting of Filipino just like in South Korea or the United States at sa ngayon yun ROTC muna. Yun U.S. and South Korea kasi may mga military training nay un mga estudyante at hindi naman sila agad ica-call to active duty kung wala silang training, yun ROTC nga,” he said.

 

Tolentino reminded ROTC cadets and cadettes that hazing is illegal and will not be tolerated during military training. “Mahigpit na ipinagbabawal yan and we will not tolerate it, but so far wala naman tayong natatanggap na mga reklamo kasi highly motivated ang ROTC to pursue their training and end up being members of the AFP,” he said.

 

Tolentino even watched basketball games among ROTC units at the Santa Maria Elementary School covered court and took photos of the games as the crowd cheered for the senator. 

 

“Ang ROTC Games ay patunay na ang paghuhubog sa mga Kabataang Pilipino sa disiplina, pagsunod, pagkikipag-ugnayan, pakikiisa at pakikilahok sa mga adhikain para sa Lipunan ay pinakamabisang pamamaraan upang maihanda sila sa mga mas mapanghamong tungkulin sa hinaharap.  Gayundin, nagbibigay daan ang ROTC Games  upang makapaghubog tayo ng mga kabataang akma at handa na maging mga katuwang sa pagbuo ng isang matatag at mapayapang Pilipinas.”

He then proceeded to the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic School for the formal closing of the games. The huge crowd cheered for Tolentino as he arrived at the venue.

“Ang larangan ng sports, na ating unti-unting itinatahi sa military service training ay isang pamamaraan hindi lamang upang makatagpo ng panibagong mga kabataang atleta na magwawagayway ng ating bandila sa larangan ng international sports. Lalong higit, ito ay naglalayon ding pagbuklurin ang mga kadeteng Pilipino sa ating nagkakaisang layunin na ihanda ang ating mga kabataan sa pamumuno at pamamahala sa darating na panahon,” Tolentino said in his speech at the closing games,” he said in his speech.

(Photos by Al Jacinto)

Tolentino repeatedly thanked the people of Zamboanga and the ROTC 

cadets and cadettes from different colleges in Mindanao in southern Philippines for the successful holding of the PRG. 

The closing ceremony was attended by Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe, Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja, City Administator and lawyer Wendell Sotto who represented Rep. Mannix Dalipe, the mayor's brother; Rep. Kymer Olaso and senior military and police officials led by Col. Alexander Lorenzo. Local government officials also gifted Tolentino as wooden chest box with mother of pearl inlay as a token of their appreciation to the hardworking senator.

 

“Walang pag-aalinlangan na ang naganap na ROTC Games sa Zamboanga City ay nagbukas ng maraming pagkakataon sa ating mga kabataang kadete na maipamalas ang kanilang pambihirang lakas at makapaghikayat ng suporta ng pamahalaan upang higit pa silang makapagsanay at maging mas mahusay pa sa kanilang napiling larangan,” Tolentino said.

 

“Masasabing tunay na matagumpay ang pagtatanghal ng ROTC Games dito sa Mindanao. Nais nating kunin ang pagkakataong pasalamatan ang lahat ng mga nasa likod ng tagumpay na ito, kabilang ang Department of National Defense, ang Commission on Higher Education, ang Philippine Sports Commission, ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Zamboanga, at ang napakarami pang nagbuhos ng panahon at lakas upang masiguradong ang kauna-unahang ROTC Games ay maidaraos nang matagumpay,” he added.

 

The senator said the ROTC Games in Mindanao has raised the bar high in terms of conducting the games. “The first step in Iloilo City in the Visayas region and this Mindanao leg hosted by Zamboanga City have laid down the template for successful hosting of the PRG 2023. The cooperation and solidarity displayed here shall be expected for the rest of the host LGUs and SUCs. Congratulations to everyone here for making the ROTC Games Visayas leg truly a success,” he said.

 

“As we close the ROTC Games Mindanao leg, it is with great joy and pride that we also sound the starter pistol, so to speak, for the Luzon and NCR leg. Muchas gracias Zamboanga City. Hindi malilimutan ang inyong suporta at pagkakaisa. Mabuhay po ang Philippine ROTC Games 2023! Maraming salamat po,” he added.

 

Tolentino, who is the brainchild of the tournament, hailed the leadership of the Commission on Higher Education, as well as the AFP and the Philippine Sports Commission, for making the sports tournament possible. 

The PRG, spearheaded by Tolentino, aims to promote the ROTC by specifically encouraging the development of grassroots sports programs; training young athletes for international competitions; promoting physical education; and fostering self-discipline, teamwork and excellence. It involves the ROTC units of the main AFP service branches - the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy. (Mindanao Examiner)