The Philippine Army is considering the expansion of its transition assistance program to soldiers that have been dishonorably discharged from military service.

The army organization is considering this initiative after discharged soldiers were reportedly involved in a series of criminal activities, most recently the three former army personnel allegedly involved in the killing of Governor Roel Degamo and eight other victims.

PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a statement on Thursday, said the army will be reviewing its program that offers opportunities for education, training assistance, livelihood, legal services, and financial counseling for retiring soldiers.

“We are looking at possibly expanding this program to include dishonorably discharged soldiers to help them start anew with their civilian lives,” he said.

“It is also worth noting that the vast majority of former soldiers are law-abiding and contribute positively to their communities after their retirement from service,” he added.

The official stressed that the Army is bolstering its values formation and character development programs to ensure that soldiers with strong core values stay “ethical, disciplined, and professional” even outside the battlefield and beyond military service.

The PA has vowed to strengthen its counter-intelligence efforts to keep track of the activities of former soldiers, especially dishonorably discharged personnel who possess special skills.

“We are also exploring the possibility of creating a dedicated counter-intelligence unit that will work closely with the Philippine National Police to prevent illegal acts that may be committed by current or former Army soldiers,” Trinidad bared.

The PA called on former soldiers to seek help from the army organization should they find themselves struggling with the transition to civilian life, and to think carefully about the consequences of engaging in illegal activities.