Former Defense Secretary and senatorial candidate Gilbert (GIBO) Teodoro supports compulsory national service complementary to mandating the youth for military service.

In an interview with One News’ The Chiefs, Gibo Teodoro said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) currently has limitation in its capability in accommodating, training, and equipping reserve forces if military service for the youth will be mandatory.

Gibo Teodoro, a former Tarlac congressman, said young Filipinos can participate in national service particularly in civil defense that will serve as emergency responders and disaster risk reduction experts among others as the country often experiences natural calamities.

He recalled that he was batting for voluntary Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) by encouraging the youth to participate through scholarships rather than mandating them to join the program.

“It is like the left and right hand – civil defense and the military. You can combine these two into a national service like the Singaporean model,” said Gibo Teodoro, the country’s youngest defense chief who held the position at age 43.