AFP: Expanded direct commission key to building future-ready force

[Updated July 28, 2026, 5:03 p.m]

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said its planned expansion of the direct commission program is intended to recruit professionals with expertise in technology, cybersecurity, engineering, artificial intelligence and other critical fields as the military adapts to an increasingly technology-driven security environment.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the initiative recognizes that the country’s security challenges have evolved beyond conventional warfare.

“As threats evolve, the AFP also has to evolve,” Padilla said during a press briefing.

READ: Teodoro to AFP: Recruit more techie officers

She likened the AFP’s modernization efforts to upgrading a smartphone, saying acquiring new equipment alone is insufficient without the expertise needed to maximize its capabilities.

“The modern AFP is like a smartphone. It’s not enough that we have new hardware. We also need the latest and best applications,” she said.

Padilla said the military is “not just adding people” but also expanding its pool of specialized expertise as defense increasingly extends beyond traditional battlefields.

The explanation comes after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced on Saturday plans to expand the AFP’s direct commission program by opening it to professionals in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, robotics, space technology and quantum computing, saying the military must recruit talent needed to address emerging security challenges.

“Our fight is no longer confined to the battlefield that we traditionally recognize on the ground. It is now in cyberspace, in the information domain, and in our laboratories and command centers,” she said.

“Talent, in this case, is a force multiplier. The future of national defense will be shaped not only by those who stand on the front lines, but also by those who innovate behind them,” she added.

Padilla said the expanded direct commission program would create greater opportunities for Filipino professionals in technology, engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other specialized fields to contribute to national defense.

She said the initiative reflects the AFP’s commitment to building a “future-ready” military where excellence, innovation and service go hand in hand.

 “Modern defense requires modern minds,” she said.

The Department of National Defense has already announced the policy direction, while the AFP is now working on the implementing guidelines for the expanded program, Padilla said.

She encouraged interested professionals to monitor official announcements from the DND and the AFP’s major service branches for details on the application process and eligibility requirements. /jpv /mr