3ID strengthens battalion units in Panay, Negros
Additional 190 neophyte soldiers boosted the Philippine Army’s anti-insurgency efforts and internal security operations in Panay and Negros islands, and even in Mindanao.
This was bared by 3rd Infantry Division public information officer 1Lt. Mark Andrew Posadas following the deployment of 190 private to the different maneuver battalions in the area.
The new soldiers were formally given assignment orders to the different maneuver units of the 3ID in a simple send-off ceremony held at Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz yesterday.
They have completed training last December 17, 2009.
Of the said number, 79 will be assigned to the units in Negros Island, 46 in Panay Island, and 5 will be sent to 15th Infantry Battalion that is currently assisting the effort in Mindanao.
The remaining 60 soldiers will remain in Camp Peralta to form part of the new Division Reconnaissance Company that will be organized to become your Spearhead’s Rapid Deployment Force in Western Visayas.
For now, Posadas said that it could not be ascertain what would be their specific duties are.
“Operational control of the new soldiers will depend on their respective ground unit commanders. The unit commanders will act accordingly depending on the prevailing conditions in their area while adhering to the Comelec’s guidelines for the May 2010 elections,” he added.
Along with this adherence, Posadas stressed that they continue to remain apolitical in pursuance of our mandate.
Further, “hindi rin maiwasan na ma-deploy sila to election watchlist of areas of concern because they will be equally distributed to our subordinate units,” he added.
For 2009 alone, it was gathered that the 3ID had graduated a total of 286 soldiers after being given a ceiling of 300 for recruitment.
“These soldiers will be distributed to our different subordinate units to replenish their ranks and to maintain our effective strength so that we may continue to perform our mission in Western Visayas,” he added.
There are still currently 300 fresh recruits undergoing training in Camp Peralta who were divided into two Candidate Soldier Courses: CSC Class 218 with 100 recruits and CSC Class 231 with 200 recruits.
“We expect them to complete their training by April of this year,” Posadas said.
He also noted that the 3ID takes pride in producing professional and service-oriented soldiers and this is why so many of our citizenry get inspired to take up the profession of arms.
“This is shown by the increase in the turnout of applicants for this year’s recruitment. Your army is optimistic that in our future recruitment efforts we can hope to entice more applicants with professional skills as we continue to enhance our technology as well as our capabilities,” he said in conclusion.
