THE 300 lumad recruits of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will start their training today during the opening of the Candidate Soldier Course at the 10th Infantry Division (ID) headquarters in Mawab, Compostela Valley.
10th ID Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) chief Captain Jerry Lamosao said the final list of the 300 qualified Indigenous People (IP) is complete and they are ready to start with their training inside the 10th ID headquarters.
The new roster of candidate soldiers will be presented tomorrow, which also signals the opening of the training.
Earlier, former DPAO chief Captain Rhyan Batchar said the training will run for about six months wherein the recruits will undertake basic military training in the first three months and another three months for the jungle warfare training. These soldiers will also likely be deployed to their respective places under the military units in their areas.
The AFP has given the aspiring government IP troopers special privileges to be able to qualify. Instead of taking AFP Service Aptitude Test (AFPSat), which is the initial step before joining the armed forces, they waived it including the age, height, and educational background for them to qualify.
They also underwent exams on neuropsychological, medical, and aptitude for the service interview to determine if they are physically and mentally fit to join the organization.
After the training, the Lumad soldiers will become part of the regular forces of the AFP who will also receive equal compensation and benefits with other security forces.
The training of the Lumads is seen to capacitate the AFP and increase their manpower resources, particularly in the area of the 10th ID in delivering community support, address insurgency problem as well as encouraging their fellow tribesmen to not get swayed by the false promises of the New People’s Army (NPA).
On one hand, National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP 11) regional director Lawyer Geroncio R. Aguio, in an earlier interview, welcomed the effort of the AFP to allow the Lumads undergo training and be part of the AFP in defending the country which manifests that the Lumads are government's competent partner in nation building.
"This is a positive (move). Isa na sa pag-ila sa tribo (It is a recognition of the tribes) as competent partner in development," he said.