MANILA — To boost its national security and development role, the Philippine Army (PA) will be recruiting an additional 8,000 troopers for 2018.
Army Spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva made the pronouncement on Thursday, saying the number is 4,400 higher than the annual 3,600 quota recruited to replace personnel who were killed, dismissed or those who retired from service.
“The higher quota is also due to the ongoing activation of ten additional army infantry battalions which aims to further strengthen the PA’s capability, to be more responsive in addressing the various threats, particularly terrorism that besets the country,” he added.
In 2017, Villanueva said that the Army was able to fill its 2017 recruitment quota of about 350 new officers and some 13,000 new enlisted personnel.
The quota included 350 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 3,600 soldiers representing the annual quota replacement in the Army.
Significantly, a total of 1,000 slots were allocated for indigenous peoples in 2017.
About 400 were successfully integrated to the ranks of the PA and deployed mostly in the Eastern Mindanao area while there were 348 who are still undergoing training.
“Most number of new recruits will fill up the Army infantry, cavalry (armored) and artillery units. There are also recruits who filled up the engineer, communication, logistics, and other administrative functions of the Army,” Villanueva added.
He said the PA has already set up recruitment centers to facilitate the influx of applicant in three major areas including Cagayan De Oro City, Cebu City, and Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.
Interested applicants may browse the PA website or visit the nearest Army base in their respective localities for inquiries. (with reports from Raymart T. Lolo, OJT/PNA)
