Manila, July 26 -- 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' Trainin...