From Combat to Protection: The Lifeworld of Former Agila Troopers Turned Protection Agents

Abstract

This study explored the lifeworld of former Agila Troopers from 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, who transitioned into private protection agents. It examined their lived experiences in the performance of their duties, the challenges they encountered, the strategies they employed to address it, and their aspirations to improve their professional services. The research aimed to generate insights that may inform reintegration frameworks for discharged military personnel, particularly those not covered by formal transition assistance programs.
A qualitative research design anchored on Edmund Husserl’s Transcendental Phenomenology was utilized to capture the essence of the informants’ lived experiences. Ten former Agila Troopers served as informants of the study. Four participated in Individual In-Depth Interviews (IDI), while six joined the Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The research was conducted in Tagum City and Davao City, where many discharged soldiers are employed in private security. Data were gathered through validated interview guides, audio recordings, and field notes, and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step descriptive phenomenological method.
The findings revealed themes reflecting continuity and transition: persistence of military identity, adaptation to civilian work culture, struggles with stigma and financial instability, reliance on resilience and peer networks, and aspirations for professional growth and stability. While private security provided employment, it also exposed gaps in institutional support and career development.
The study recommends structured reintegration programs, targeted employment assistance, mental health support systems, and stronger regulatory mechanisms for discharged personnel entering the private security sector.