Army recruiting 13,910 new soldiers

March 1, 2017

The Philippine Army is set to recruit 13,910 new soldiers to fill up various Army units nationwide.

Col. Benjamin Hao, Philippine Army spokesman, said the recruitment will include “349 officers (2nd Lieutenant); 8,892 soldiers for the special quota as approved by the President; 1,069 soldiers for the newly organized 54th Engineer Brigade; and the 3,600 soldiers representing the annual quota replacement in the Army.”

In an interview with defense reporters in Fort Bonifacio Thursday, Acting Commanding General Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda emphasized the importance of recruiting additional soldiers for the Philippine Army.

“It will be a big help like what I said they will ease up the man hours of other soldiers, but the mode of deployment will stay the same,” he said.

“Like if they are five they will have one hour each, if they are ten they can have more time to rest and then we can always sustain and maintain the pressure,” he added.

Miranda admitted despite the recruitment there are still gaps.

“There are still a lot of insufficiency but of course it is limited on what we can afford for the mean time,” he said.

Hao said most number of new recruits will fill-up the Army infantry, cavalry and artillery units.

“There are also recruits who will fill-up the engineer, communication, logistics, and other administrative functions of the Army,” he said.

“Out of the total number of recruits, 10 percent is allocated for female recruits while five percent from the indigenous peoples,” he added.

Hao  explained “once recruited and becomes a trainee, the candidate soldier will receive a gross income of P16,852.”

“If enlisted, the new Private will receive a starting gross income of P23,204 plus a number of allowances and benefits,” he said.

He also noted the Philippine Army will prioritize its recruitment from graduates of Military Science 43 and Advance ROTC, to college graduates; then  those with 72 units and up in college  or high school graduates but possess technical and vocational skills needed by the Philippine Army.

Hao emphasized an applicant must be a natural born Filipino citizen; at least 18 to 23 years old on the date of appointment as candidate soldier; at least 5'0" or 60 inches in height; single and without child of good moral character.

They must pass the Philippine Army Aptitude Test Battery / Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test as well as the pre-qualifying physical fitness test and physical medical exam; and must be physically and mentally fit for military training.

Applicants are advised to visit any Army Recuitment Centers located nationwide -- Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila; Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City; and Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City.

“Applicants are also advised to bring with them identification cards, NBI clearance, and other pertinent documents,” he said.

“They may also visit the Philippine Army website at www.army.mil.ph for further details,” he added.

Hao said the Philippine Army has a total strength of around 85,000 which will soon became almost 100,000 after the recruitment of new soldiers. Robina Asido/DMS