MANILA- The Armed Forces of the Philippines supports President Rodrigo Duterte's idea of reviving the mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC).

Military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said Friday requiring grades 11 and 12 students to take the ROTC program would help them.

"Kung ito ay matutuloy at mabibigyang-daan, malaki ang maitutulong nito upang ang ating kabataan ay magkaroon ng kasanayan," Arevalo told reporters during a press briefing.

(If this will happen, it will be of big help to our youth.)

The President on Thursday again floated the idea of reviving the mandatory ROTC program, saying it would help prepare young Filipinos defend the Philippines during wartime.

• Duterte renews bid to revive mandatory ROTC

The ROTC, mandatory military training in college, was made optional in 2002 following the controversy that resulted in the death of Mark Chua, a University of Santo Tomas student. He was allegedly slain by course officers after exposing fund mismanagement.

Arevalo assured that apprehensions in the past regarding ROTC, has already been addressed and taken into account.

"Sisiguruhin natin na mga de-kalibre na opisyal ang maitatalaga para masiguro ng walang record ng corruption at maltreatment while they are serving at the AFP," he said.

(We will ensure that quality officials will handle the program so that there will be no corruption and maltreatment while they are serving at the AFP.)

• Should ROTC be made mandatory again?

-report from Jorge Cariño, ABS-CBN News