Philippines seeks coders, hackers for military – will it be ‘a career killer’?

The Philippines is recruiting coders, engineers and cybersecurity specialists into its military under a programme ordered by Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr that allows civilian professionals to join as commissioned officers without traditional officer training. Analysts warn Manila must offer competitive salaries and clear career paths to attract tech talent, as the military confronts a battlefield shaped by software, networks and artificial intelligence. The move reflects recognition that cyber, AI and engineering capabilities are integral to modern warfare amid the country's investments in advanced weapon systems and territorial defence.

Philippines seeks coders, hackers for military – will it be ‘a career killer’? Manila has to offer tech professionals competitive salaries and a good career path without the administrative burden, analysts warn Philippines https://www.scmp.com/topics/philippines?module=inline&pgtype=article is targeting to recruit more coders, engineers and cybersecurity specialists into the military, as Manila confronts a battlefield increasingly shaped by software, networks and artificial intelligence. Gilberto Teodoro Jnr https://www.scmp.com/topics/gilberto-teodoro-jnr?module=inline&pgtype=article on Saturday ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines AFP to expand a programme that allows civilian professionals with specialised skills, such as scientists, engineers, doctors and lawyers, to join the military as commissioned officers without going through the traditional officer training route. The plan reflects Manila’s growing recognition that cyber, AI and engineering capabilities are integral parts of modern warfare, as the country invests in more advanced weapon systems and seeks to defend its territory and maritime claims, according to analysts. Vincent Kyle Parada, a defence analyst and lecturer at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, said cyberattacks on government databases and critical infrastructure showed that militaries could no longer focus only on the traditional domains of land, air and sea. “Your kill chain needs to be secure from enemy disruption. As the Philippines continues to acquire more sophisticated capabilities, it needs personnel with the necessary technical expertise to operate, maintain and safeguard these acquisitions,” he said. Defence spokesman Arsenio Andolong was quoted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer as saying that the military needed officers with expertise in computer science, programming, engineering and other science and technology disciplines.