AFP needs more soldiers to step up fight vs. terror, lawless elements

FILE: This is aside from the 10,000 soldiers recruited in 2017, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA — In line with efforts to beef up its forces in the ongoing campaign against terrorists and other lawless elements, the military announced that it is recruiting 5,500 troops for this year.

This is aside from the 10,000 soldiers recruited in 2017, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

He added that the new recruits are now undergoing training as of this posting.

Of the 5,500 troops to be recruited this year, 3,500 will go to the Army and remaining 2,000 to be split evenly between the Navy and Air Force.

With more military personnel coming in to bolster the AFP ranks, Arevalo expressed confidence that the military will be able to deal more efficiently with security threats coming from the New People’s Army, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Abu Sayyaf and other threat groups. (PNA)