Sunday, December 15, 2019

234 new soldiers to serve in NorMin, Caraga

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 15, 2019): 234 new soldiers to serve in NorMin, Caraga (By Nef Luczon)



CONGRATULATORY KISS. A newly inducted Army soldier is kissed and embraced by his significant other during the graduation ceremony for the Basic Military Training and Jungle Warfare Mountain Operations Course Saturday (Dec. 14, 2019). A total of 234 new soldiers participated in the ceremony held inside Camp Osito Bahian, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. (Photo courtesy of 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army)

A total of 234 recruits who have undergone the rigid Basic Military Training (BMT) and Jungle Warfare Mountain Operations Course (JWMOC) joined a joint graduation ceremony held at the 4th Division Training School (4DTS) in Camp Osito Bahian, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon Saturday.

The new government troops belong to the Candidate Soldier Course Class 608 and Class 609 of 2019 who have successfully undergone the 24-week training and passed the mandatory requirements for basic soldiery.


They will now serve the people and the government in the Northern Mindanao and Caraga Regions.

Each class had a total of 117 members, 88 percent of whom came from Northern Mindanao and Caraga while 12 percent came from the Ilocos, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Soccsksargen Regions.

One of the graduates was newly-minted Army Private Marvin T. Banglid, 23, who belongs to the Manobo indigenous peoples (IPs) group. Prior to graduating as a full-fledged soldier, he was a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in his hometown of Loreto in Agusan del Norte.

“It is a dream come true, sir, I am a former CAFGU for five years and here I am now, a regular soldier in the Philippine Army. Despite all the hardships, I never gave up because I want to inspire the youth in our tribe," he told the Philippine News Agency.

"I am very much thankful to the government for their services to my tribe. I will repay it through my wholehearted and dedicated military service to the Filipino people," he said.

Meanwhile, Datu Efren Empinado, a tribal leader of the Higaonon IPs group from Barangay Banglay, Lagonglog town, Misamis Oriental, witnessed his son's graduation.

“My family and my tribe are very proud that my son was able to graduate and become a soldier. The effort of the government in reaching out to the indigenous people is very important," he said in the vernacular.

"We are very happy and we promise to help the government build a peaceful and progressive community," Empinado added.

Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio M. Gacal, commander of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), congratulated the graduates, saying that this will be the start of their military career.

“I want you to be prepared to assume different roles such as builders, peacemaker, farmer, teacher and more, because our modern role asks us to become reliable partners of the people in peace and development," he told the new soldiers.

“The government, Filipino people and your families expect a lot from you. Consider yourselves as instrument of change for the betterment of the communities in the region. Never fail the people who have invested their trust in you. Let this serve as a reminder for you to find the courage and discipline to do what is right and just," Gacal said.

The 4ID has observed that an increasing number of applicants showed interest in joining the Army by asking regarding the schedules for the next Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT) in Mindanao.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088789

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.