The 2023 Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC) Mindanao Games has successfully concluded with the City of Zamboanga as its host for the year. Held in the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU) Gymnasium on the afternoon of September 2, 2023, the closing ceremony was graced by Senator Francis Tolentino, the rightful author of the ROTC Games. Sen. Tolentino also presented plaques and certificates of recognition, as well as awarded medals to the winners.
City Mayor John Dalipe addressed the crowd in attendance, acknowledging the commitment to nationalism that the ROTC Games nods to. The event instills the values of discipline, teamwork, and patriotism among the youth, inspiring the next generation to become responsible citizens. Mayor Dalipe then passed on the torch to the next host of the ROTC Games to the Luzon leg.
Also present were Assistant Secretary Henry Robinson, Jr. of the Department of National Defense, Philippines ROTC Games Chairman 2023 Mindanao Leg MGEN Joseph Ferrous Cuison, OIC of the Commission on Higher Education IX Regional Director Dr. Rody Garcia, City Vice-Mayor Josephine Pareja, Congressman Khymer Adan Olaso, City Administrator Atty. Wendell Sotto representing Cong. Mannix Dalipe, and ZPPSU President Dr. Nelson Cabral.
The ROTC trains and develops college students in the rudiments of military service in order to produce capable Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reservists. Thousands of cadets from different schools in Southern Philippines participated in the ROTC Games Mindanao Leg, once again proving that the City of Zamboanga is a prime sports destination in this part of the country.
(Source: Mayor John Dalipe Facebook page)