AFP needs 5,000 new soldiers

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines needs more than 5,000 new soldiers to fill up its units nationwide, the three major branches of service announced yesterday.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Army spokesman, said they would recruit 3,000 candidate soldiers for this year to fill up the personnel requirement of their units all over the country.

The Navy is also recruiting 1,781 new soldiers, 1,200 Marines, 500 sailors and 281 officers.

The Air Force, on the other hand, needs 600 new airmen to fill up vacancies caused by retirement, attrition and natural causes.

Torres said Army recruits should be natural-born Filipino citizens, at least 18 years old but must not be more than 22 years at the convening date, at least 5’4” in height for males and at least 5’2” for females, unmarried and had never had a child, must have good moral character and must have a score of at least 80 in the admission exam given by the AFP.

“Priority candidates in filling up the Candidate Soldiers are qualified professionals, graduates of MS43 and Advanced ROTC, with 72 units and up in college, or high school graduates but must possess technical vocational skills needed by the AFP,” Torres said.

Lt. Col. Epifanio Panzo, Air Force spokesman, said that applicants must be at least 18 years old but not more than 24 years by Dec. 16, and must have taken up at least 72 units of a college or vocational course.

Interested applicants may inquire at the nearest Air Force unit in their locality for admission details.

Those in Metro Manila could reach the Personnel Management Center at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

Schedule of examinations will be announced later.

Applicants are advised to bring their accomplished application form, other documents such as ID pictures, National Statistics Office copy of birth certificate and transcript of records or certification from the school registrar.