296 soldiers add teeth to anti-insurgency campaign
Additional warm bodies were added to the current strength of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
This, as 296 candidate soldiers were sworn in as Privates into the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a graduation ceremony held at Camp Macario B Peralta Jr, Jamindan, Capiz, home of the 3ID.
Major Gen. Vicente Porto, 3ID commanding officer, led the graduation rites of Magilas Class 218-10 and 231-10.
The class started with 300 able-bodied recruits when they began training last October 22.
Most of them hail from different parts of Panay, Guimaras, and Negros islands.
The training lasted for 3 months wherein their basic military skills were honed.
Another 2 months was dedicated for the application, through the Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operations Course (JWMOC) held at the 33,100 hectare Military Reservation in Jamindan, of what they learned.
During the graduation, candidate soldiers Cyril Jun Maglaqui, Roel Romay, and Glen Tawagon received academic awards.
The physical fitness and proficiency award was bestowed to candidate soldier Jomar Chavez while Raymond Chisno received a plaque of recognition for outstanding leadership.
On the other hand, combat awards were given to Rodolfo Paigalan and Breno Pagurayan.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen Porto congratulated the graduates and urged them to be loyal and serve to protect and enhance the name of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Philippine Army. He also underscored the role of the new privates as catalysts for peace and development of the country.
“As new soldiers, you must possess the qualities of SARS- a combination of Skills, Attitude, Responsibility and Spiritual Guidance,” Porto said.
It was gathered that in 2009, the 3ID commissioned 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,” said 3ID public information officer 1Lt Mark Andrew Posadas.
He added that these are the first set of graduates that will be deployed by the 3ID for year 2010.
Posadas also noted that 3ID takes pride in producing professional and service-oriented soldiers.
“That is why so many of our fellow citizens are inspired to take up the profession of arms,” he said citing that the said fact is shown by the increase in the turnout of applicants for last 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,” Posadas stated.
