A hundred aspiring soldiers from Apayao took an important step toward military service as they sat for the pre-entry examination for the Philippine Army on May 14, 2025, held at the Apayao State College – Main Extension (Cubet) Campus in Barangay Malama, Conner.
The activity was carried out through the joint efforts of the Army Recruitment Office – Luzon, the Army Testing Office, and the Provincial Government of Apayao (PGA), under the province’s continuing support for national recruitment efforts. Fifty applicants took the exam for the Officer Candidate Course (OCC), while the other half applied for the Candidate Soldier Course (CSC).
The screening marks the beginning of a multi-stage selection process designed to build up the Army’s manpower and develop a new generation of disciplined, service-driven individuals. The Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT) follows immediately, scheduled for May 14 and 15.
Both courses carry strict eligibility requirements. The OCC is open to baccalaureate degree holders aged 21–27, while the CSC accepts K-12 graduates or those with at least 72 college units, aged 18–26. All applicants must be single, of good moral standing, physically and mentally fit, and must meet the minimum height requirement of 5 feet. No pending court cases are allowed under both tracks.
Applicants are required to submit original documents, including their school credentials, birth certificates, and valid government-issued IDs.
Only those who pass the AFPSAT—scoring in Category A or B (80–150)—will qualify for the next phase: the Army Qualifying Exam (AQE) and Special Written Examination (SWE) set for May 16.
The Army Recruitment Program in Apayao continues to attract young men and women who are willing to serve beyond themselves, with many driven by the chance to contribute to national peace, stability, and development. By Krizza Joy Castillo
