Protesters Condemn Hazing Incident at PLM ROTC Unit
Students, parents, and women’s rights advocates gathered Monday in front of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) in Intramuros to protest a recent hazing incident involving the university’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) unit. The keyphrase “PLM ROTC hazing incident” was central to their message as they demanded justice and accountability from the university.
Organized by Gabriela Youth – PLM, the victim’s parents, and Gabriela Women’s Party, the demonstrators criticized what they described as the university administration’s alarming inaction following the reported abuse of a first-year female cadet during ROTC activities on November 28, 2024.
Details of the Abuse and Response Criticism
According to sources familiar with the matter, the female cadet endured physical and verbal abuse, including being blindfolded, slapped, and shouted at by ROTC officers. Protesters argued that the university’s internal investigation failed to protect the victim or hold those responsible accountable.
“This is a systemic issue,” a spokesperson for Gabriela Youth said, condemning the culture of violence embedded in military training programs. The group also raised concerns about what they called “mandatory ROTC in disguise,” highlighting the limited options students have in choosing other tracks under the National Service Training Program (NSTP).
Broader Implications and Calls for Reform
The protest occurred amid renewed discussions on reinstating Mandatory ROTC nationwide. Gabriela Youth emphasized their opposition, warning that such policies could threaten students’ rights and safety.
The group called for full transparency from PLM, justice for the hazing victim, and an end to abusive and coercive ROTC enlistment practices. They urged the university to take immediate and concrete steps to protect students from hazing and other forms of abuse.
For more news and updates on PLM ROTC hazing incident, visit Filipinokami.com.