Army recruiting 14,000 this year

The Philippine Army will recruit some 14,000 individuals this year to fill up units throughout the country.

Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao said that 349 officers (2nd lieutenant) and 8,892 soldiers are needed for the special quota approved by President Duterte; 1,069 soldiers for the newly organized 54th Engineering Brigade; and another 3,600 soldiers for the annual quota replacement in the Army.

Colonel Hao said that most

of new recruits will go to the Army infantry, cavalry, and artillery units. The other recruits will carry out engineering, communication, logistics, and other administrative functions of the Army.

“Out of the total number of recruits, 10 percent is allocated for female recruits and 5 percent for the indigenous people,” he added.

Once a recruit becomes a trainee, he or she will receive a gross monthly income of 116,852.

If enlisted, the new private will receive a starting gross income of 123,204 plus a number of allowances and benefits.

Hao said the Philippine Army will follow the following order of priorities in its recruitment: Graduates of Military Science 43 and Advance ROTC, college graduates, those with 72 units and up in college, and high school graduates with technical and vocational skills needed by the Philippine Army.

Hao said an applicant must be a natural-born Filipino, at least 18 to 23 years old on the date of appointment as candidate soldier, at least 5 feet tall, single and without children, of good moral character, passed the Philippine Army Aptitude Test Battery/Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test, passed the pre-qualifying physical fitness test and medical exam, and must be physically and mentally fit for military training.

Interested applicants were advised to visit the Army Recruitment Centers in Fort Bonifacio in Metro Manila, Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City, or Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City.

They were advised to bring with them identification cards, NBI clearance, and other pertinent documents.

They may also visit the Philippine Army website at www.army.mil.ph for further details, Colonel Hao said.