3ID welcomes 96 new soldiers
“We are counting on you to help the 3ID and the AFP to achieve its goal of diminishing the communist threat to an insignificant level by 2010.”
Such was the remark of Maj. Gen. Vicente Porto, Commanding General of the Third Infantry Division, Philippine Army based in Camp Macario V. Peralta Jr., Jamindan, Capiz as he welcomed the 96 new soldiers in a simple recognition ceremony held recently.
The 96 new soldiers comprise the Class 197-08 who hail from the different parts of Panay, Guimaras and Negros island.
Their training started last December 2, 2008 where for the first three months they honed their basic military skills. They then applied what they have learned in the remaining three months through the Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operations Course (JWMOC) held at the 33,1000-hectare military reservation in Jamindan.
“You all rose to this challenge to stand before me as soldiers today. Your country is proud of you,” said Major Gen. Emmanuel Cunanan, commander of the Central Command, who was the guest speaker in the graduation.
“However, if you thought the challenges ended when you finished training, you were wrong. You were given the skills and knowledge needed for you to embark on your military career as professional soldiers. Professional. Ang ibig sabihin nito ay madaming alam at kwalipikado sa trabaho at tungkulin nila. And that is what we expect from all of you,” Maj. Gen. Cunanan stressed.
First Lieutenant Mark Andrew Posadas, public information officer of 3ID, said the top graduates of the class are Leo L. Villanueva followed by Niky C. Batallones and Jerry S. Aliman.
Dubbed as the most physically fit of the class, otherwise known as the class “tarzan”, is Kent Karlo A Jimenez.
Posadas said the new soldiers will be given a 10 day admin break after which, they will report back to Division Headquarters to receive their serial numbers prior to deployment to the different battalions under the jurisdiction of 3ID.