CMT Now!

By Michael Henry Yusingco, LL.M

While President Bongbong Marcos has consistently maintained that “we are not preparing for war,” he has also acknowledged the geopolitical reality that the Philippines may be drawn into an armed conflict if China invades Taiwan. Given this context, the need to raise citizen consciousness and national readiness is not just prudent—it is strategic. Consider too that as a maritime state, national security must always be a primordial concern in the minds of Filipinos. Thus, the urgent need for Citizen Military Training (CMT).

Indeed, two statements from administration officials underscore the relevance of CMT today. First, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro warned that “the greatest external threat actually is Chinese aggression, Chinese expansionism, and the attempt by China to change international law through the use of force or acquiescence.” Second, Undersecretary for Communications Claire Castro emphasized that whether or not the Philippines has formal allies, “kailangan din po nating i-prepare iyong sarili natin”.

But CMT must be distinguished from both mandatory military service and the Reserve Officers’ Training Course (ROTC). These terms are often conflated, but they refer to very different concepts with distinct objectives. Mandatory military service, as practiced in countries like South Korea and Singapore, involves the enlistment of large segments of the population into the formal armed forces—something that is simply not feasible in the Philippine context, both economically and institutionally.

ROTC, on the other hand, is a 4-year program designed for those who aspire to become commissioned officers in the military, with a level of commitment and specialization not suitable or accessible to all. And those who complete ROTC but choose not to pursue a military career, they automatically become part of the reserve force of the nation. These are the men and women who will be called upon by the state to join the armed forces when the country is at war.

CMT occupies a different space altogether. It is not about creating a standing army of young people, nor is it a recruitment pipeline for officer training. Rather, it is about educating Filipino youth in the fundamentals of national defense and warfare—a form of national civic preparedness. The idea is to cultivate a baseline understanding of military tactics, strategy, and mindset so that if the country is ever placed in a dire situation, its citizens are not entirely unprepared.

Therefore, the Department of Education should seriously consider integrating CMT into the senior high school curriculum as a two-semester required subject. This does not mean reviving outdated practices such as endless marching drills or imposing the burden of expensive military-style uniforms. Many Gen X guys and gals will likely remember those days under the hot sun with disdain. There is no need to repeat useless methodologies.

It is the 21^st century after all and CMT must be modernized to focus on relevant, practical knowledge and skills that will equip students with a foundational understanding of war in today’s context. Indeed, it must primarily be an academic program, and its core curriculum components could include:

• Basic knowledge of warfare and military history
• Overview of combat tactics and modern war strategies
• Weapons taxonomy and safety (theory and supervised handling)
• Fundamental combat terminologies and defense concepts

The physical aspect of the training should be limited to basic self-defense, weapon handling drills, and simulated tactical exercises. The emphasis must be on cognitive preparedness rather than corporal endurance. Note that producing soldiers is not the point of CMT. It should not even be about disciplining the youth or addressing adolescent mental health issues. CMT is simply about developing in young Filipinos an attitude of vigilance and a sense of national responsibility.