Marines set up recruitment center at Mall of Asia

MANILA, Philippines - Recruitment of idealistic and disciplined young men and women to its ranks highlighted the celebration of the Marine Corps’ 60th anniversary yesterday.

The recruitment was held at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Also part of the celebration was a photo exhibit of the Marine Corps’ achievements and fighting capability.

Marine recruitment officer 2Lt. Gizzell Sernat said successful applicants would have a stable job and an opportunity to serve the country.

“The Marines would rather die than lose their honor. Trainees will be idealistic. They will be given a stable job and good salary,” Sernat told The STAR. 

“The trainees would learn the value of discipline. They will also experience the camaraderie shared by the Marines,” she added.

Sernat said another recruitment activity would be held in Isabela province next week. She said the Marines target 2,000 recruits this year.

Applicants should be 18 to 21 years old and should have completed at least 72 units of any college course. Those who graduated from courses offered by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority are also qualified to apply.

Applicants must submit accomplished application forms and take tests designed to assess their intelligence quotient, abstract, verbal, and mathematical skills and knowledge of current events.

After passing such tests, applicants will be subjected to physical tests to determine if they are fit to join the training.

Sernat said the Marines have also conducted recruitment activities in Iloilo, Tugegarao and in Pangasinan.

Other activities marking the corps’ anniversary were film showing, demonstration of fighting and rescue capabilities, and silent drills.

There are about 9,000 Marine troops and trainees in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Meanwhile, the AFP launched its yearly military sports festival yesterday. AFP chief of staff Gen. Ricardo David graced the event held at Camp Aguinaldo.

Also present were Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena and Navy chief Vice Admiral Danilo Cortez.

The three declined to comment when asked about the alleged terror threat that prompted the US and four other countries to issue travel advisories to their citizens in the country.

“The AFP chief had spoken,” Ortiz said.

Earlier, David downplayed the terror plot, saying that the military had not detected any credible terror threat in Metro Manila or in other parts of the country.