Army open to accepting former rebels to its ranks

Philippines army was earlier strict in accepting recruits due to security concerns

The Philippines Army is open to accepting former communist rebels in its ranks, its chief Gen. Glorioso Miranda said.

“Our doors are open to everybody, even former members of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA),” Glorioso said during an event at the Philippine Army headquarters at Fort Andres Bonifacio in Taguig City, to mark the institution’s 120th founding anniversary.

He said some former guerrillas have experience and proven war-fighting capabilities that would be of good use to the Philippines Army.

However, to be accepted in the army they need to pass the usual tests that recruits undergo.

Qualifications

According to Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao, recruits must have graduated from military science courses in college and received advanced reserve officer training course (ROTC), finished college and passed physical and mental tests, among others. Previously, the Philippine Army was strict in accepting recruits especially in view of security concerns.

According to Miranda, the army will recruit a total of 13,910 new troops for 2017 to fill-up various army units throughout the country.