Many countries in the world have compulsory military service. Democratic countries such as Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Turkey, Russia, Mexico, Sweden, and South Korea are among the countries where men need to enter the military for several years.
Compulsory military service is normally for 18 to 35 years old men. The training and service last for one to three years. There are different kinds of service performed during the duration of the military service, from combat roles to logistics and intelligence work. Responsibilities are given, mostly depending on the gender of the personnel: in Israel, males perform three years of combat and security services while females perform two years of non-combat services.
Compulsory military service is believed to increase the strength of the military, the youth’s character, and the nation. Like the United States, the Philippines does not have mandatory military service. However, last March 8, Senator Panfilo Lacson filed the Senate Bill No. 1734 which will affect the lives of people in the country.
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What is the Senate Bill No. 1734?
Also known as the National Defense Act of 2018, the Senate Bill No. 1734 is the imposition of two-year mandatory military service in the Philippines. This seeks to improve the country’s capability to fight terrorism and other threats to national security.
Once approved, this law will cover natural-born or naturalized Filipinos.
In defending the Philippines, the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right to self-determination. The preservation of the State is the obligation of every citizen. The security, freedom, and independence of the Philippines shall be guaranteed by the employment of all citizens, without distinction of age or sex, and all resources.
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Larger Scope
Senate Bill No. 1734 does not only focus on military training and education for a minimum of two years mandatory military service, it also aims to upgrade the government’s capabilities against terrorism, insurgency, and other threats to national security viably streamlining the procurement process for defense equipment and prohibiting the sale of strategic defense real properties.
Under this bill, the name of National Defense College of the Philippines will be changed to National Defense University of the Philippines. It also allows the Defense Department to accept donations, contributions, and grants to purchase defense materials and equipment.
