AFP expands Direct Commission Program to recruit professionals in specialized fields

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is expanding its Direct Commission Program to recruit qualified professionals in specialized fields in a bid to build a more agile and technologically capable military force.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has directed the AFP to broaden the program to attract qualified Advance Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) graduates, deserving enlisted personnel, and professionals with expertise in critical fields, including cyber operations, artificial intelligence, engineering, aviation, communications, research and development, and other emerging technologies.

“The directive seeks to enhance the recruitment and commissioning of qualified Advance Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) graduates, deserving enlisted personnel, and highly skilled professionals in critical fields,” the Department of National Defense (DND) said in a statement Saturday.

Teodoro also instructed the AFP to establish merit-based pathways for commissioning outstanding enlisted personnel and to consider reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities whose expertise is vital to defense missions.

The defense chief likewise ordered the military to develop appropriate training and career development programs for personnel entering through these non-traditional commissioning pathways, while ensuring all implementing guidelines remain consistent with existing laws and uphold the AFP's professional, operational, and security standards.

The DND said the expanded Direct Commission Program supports the AFP Modernization Program and the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept by strengthening the military's capacity to recruit, develop, and retain specialized talent needed to address evolving defense and security challenges.

“By strengthening the AFP's human capital, the DND continues to build the capabilities required to defend the nation, sustain internal security gains, and address emerging threats in an increasingly complex strategic environment,” it said.

The initiative comes as the Philippines continues to strengthen defense cooperation with like-minded partners to improve its maritime and technological capabilities.

EU maritime support

Meanwhile, the DND welcomed the European Union's (EU) €15 million (around PHP1.05 billion) maritime security assistance package under the European Peace Facility (EPF), marking the facility's first assistance package in the Indo-Pacific.

It said the EU assistance, announced following Teodoro's meeting with European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas on the sidelines of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, would provide the AFP with non-lethal maritime surveillance and monitoring equipment, as well as capacity-building and specialized training.

The assistance will enhance the country's Maritime Domain Awareness, improve interoperability with partner nations, and strengthen the protection of the Philippines' national security interests and sovereign rights, it added.

The department also welcomed the EU's continued support for the 2016 Arbitral Award, freedom of navigation and overflight, and the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in accordance with international law. (With Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)