The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is expanding its Direct Commission Program to recruit specialized professionals in a push to build a more agile, technologically advanced defense force.
Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. directed the military to broaden recruitment to attract advanced Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) graduates, deserving enlisted personnel, and experts in key fields such as cyber operations, artificial intelligence, engineering, aviation, communications, and research and development.
“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.
Under Teodoro’s directive, the AFP will establish merit-based pathways for top-performing enlisted personnel and offer reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities whose technical skills align with defense operations.
The defense chief also tasked the military with developing specialized training and career tracks for candidates entering through these non-traditional routes, while keeping guidelines compliant with existing laws and maintaining strict operational and security standards.
The DND emphasized that the expansion aligns with both the AFP Modernization Program and the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept by improving the military’s ability to recruit and retain high-level talent.
“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,” the DND stated.
The initiative comes as the country continues to strengthen defense partnerships to boost its maritime and technical capabilities against evolving security challenges.