PHL Army to recruit 13,910 troops for 2017

MANILA -- The Philippine Army will recruit 13,910 new soldiers this year to fill up various units, its spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said Wednesday.He said the distribution of the recruitment will be 349 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.Hao said most of the new recruits will fill up the Army infantry, cavalry and artillery units, while others will fill up the engineering, communication, logistics, and other administrative functions of the Army.Of the total number of recruits, 10 percent will be allocated for female recruits, and 5 percent will come from Indigenous Peoples.Once a candidate soldier is recruited and becomes a trainee, he or she will receive a gross monthly income of PHP16,852.If enlisted, the new private will receive a starting gross monthly income of PHP23,204 plus a number of allowances and benefits.Hao said the Army will prioritize its recruitment in the following order -- graduates of Military Science 43 and Advanced ROTC college graduates or those who completed at least 72 units in college and high school graduates who possess technical and vocational skills needed by the Army.An applicant must be a natural-born Filipino citizen at least 18 to 23 years old on the date of appointment as candidate soldier at least 5'0 or 60 inches in height single and without child 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 physical medical exam and must be physically and mentally fit for military training.All interested applicants are advised to visit any of the Army Recruitment Centers in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City and Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City.Hao advised applicants to bring with them identification cards, NBI clearance, and other pertinent documents.They may also visit the Philippine Army website at and//www.army.mil.ph/ www.army.mil.ph for further details. (PNA)