No discrimination vs aspiring soldiers – AFP

MANILA, Philippines – The military will not discriminate against gays who seek to enter the service as long as they comply with the necessary requirements imposed on all applicants.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr., however, said all applicants should brace for “rigid” trainings and should strictly follow the soldiers’ code of conduct.

“The AFP does not discriminate applicants in terms of sex, religion and ethnicity so long as he or she passed all the requirements and is qualified for training,” Burgos said in a text message.

“Soldier applicants (who want to become) members of the AFP have to meet the prescribed physical, mental and medical standards required for a rigid military training,” he said.

Burgos was asked whether gays can be accepted as soldiers after the Philippine National Police (PNP) had expressed openness to the idea of recruiting gays into the police force.

Burgos said aspiring soldiers should also be ready to keep the “highest standards of soldiery.”

“Once inside the organization, he or she must strictly abide by well-established norms, procedures and code of conduct which is in keeping with the tradition and highest standards of soldiery,” the AFP spokesman said.

“Governed by the Articles of War and Code of Ethics, all members must follow and obey all rules and regulations required and demanded by the organization,” he added.

The military recruits about 6,000 new soldiers every year.

Qualifications for aspiring officers include height of at least five feet, single, 21 to 25 years old during the start of the training and with no pending case in court.

For aspiring enlisted personnel, they should have earned 72 units in college or possess a certified skill needed in the military service for high school graduates; 18-23 years old during the start of training; at least five feet tall and with no pending case in any court.

Earlier, the PNP said it would not discriminate against anyone wanting to join the police service.

The possibility of hiring gay policemen came after Sen. Gregorio Honasan called for the scrapping of the height requirement for police applicants.

“We (in the PNP) do not discriminate against any group or any gender. As long as they follow the rules laid out, we will accept them,” said Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr., chief of the Police Community Relations Group. –Alex Romero (The Philippine Star)