AFP to get 10,000 more troops

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 10): AFP to get 10,000 more troops

Despite peace negotiations with various insurgent groups, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that 10,000 more troopers are needed to meet the rising threats to the country's national security.

This was stressed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo on what triggered the military to request an additional 10,000 soldiers from President Rodrigo Duterte Tuesday. He also clarified that the additional 10,000 troops have been long requested by the AFP but was only granted by the incumbent Chief Executive. At present, the AFP numbers around 125,000 troops with an 85,000 allocated to the Army and remaining 45,000 split between the Air Force and Navy. "These additional troops are needed for our ongoing security engagements," Arevalo said in Filipino. Besides this, new soldiers are needed to man the brand-new equipment and platforms now being acquired by the AFP.

He added that recruitment of these new troopers is already accompanied by a budget allocation.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=953950