DWDD: GABAY LAYA CLASS 2016 II Cadets visit the Soldiers of Bukidnon

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Mar 6): GABAY LAYA CLASS 2016 II Cadets visit the Soldiers of Bukidnon

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon (DWDD) – 17 PMA Cadets who are members of the “Gabay-Laya” Class of 2016 Army Group visited the 8th Infantry Battalion of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division based in the province of Bukidnon from February 27, 2016 to March 2, 2016. The 17 Cadets are among the 34 members of their class who will be joining the Philippine Army as they graduate this March 2016 from the prestigious Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City, Benguet.



Their 5-day visit is part of their On the Job Training or OJT in the Infantry Battalions of the Army so that they may familiarize themselves on how a battalion operates, as it is likely that they will be assigned to these outfits upon graduation. Moreover, this activity will enable the graduating cadets to gain the necessary experience on becoming an Army officer as they mingle with the officers and enlisted personnel of the battalion, especially so that it is the first time in many years that PMA Cadets are allowed to have their OJT in Mindanao area.

LTC LENNON G BABILONIA INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion, together with Hon. Anthony A. Uy, Municipal Mayor of Impasugong, Bukidnon, welcomed the cadets as they embark on their OJT in the Tribal Capital of Bukidnon in Impasugong town.

In their 5 days stay in the battalion, the cadets were oriented to the battalion’s organizational structure, its daily routine and its implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan”. They were taught on the deployment and operation of Infantry Companies, Infantry Platoons, Infantry Squads and CAFGU Detachments while giving particular emphasis on Focused Military Operations, Bayanihan Team Activities, Intelligence Operations, Stakeholders Engagement, Information Campaign, Legal Cooperation and Bayanihan Investment Protection and Security Operations, which are all anchored towards upholding human rights, adherence to International Humanitarian Law and the rule of law, and the strict observance of the rules of engagement. The cadets also had the chance to interact with Local Government Units of Bukidnon, the management of vital economic installations and with partner Civil Society Organizations in Bukidnon during their OJT in the battalion.

Meantime, Bukidnons made the warmest of welcomes to the PMA Cadets as members of the Bukidnon Pulangui River Lions Club facilitated the Host Parent Program for the group during their interaction on February 28, 2016, in Cristina Pavilion, Maramag, Bukidnon. The members of the Lions Club adopted the cadets, who now have their foster parents and foster families in Bukidnon. While in Central Mindanao University Campus, ROTC Cadets had a rare chance of interacting with PMA Cadets around 2:00 pm of the same day at the university grandstand.

In his message, LTC LENNON BABILONIA INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion, stated that, “We are very fortunate that we have the Cadets of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2016 Army Group visiting us on their OJT. This is a very rare opportunity and in fact, this is the first time that PMA cadets are having their OJT here in Mindanao and in Bukidnon. With this, we are inspired to teach these Cadets about the precepts of the Infantry Battalion Operations and its implementation of the IPSP Bayanihan, so that one day, they may become contributors and key players in our country’s nation building and peace building efforts. We will give particular emphasis on how the battalion upholds human rights and how it gives respect to the customs, cultures and traditions of our Lumad brothers here in Bukidnon. Just like our DAYON KAMO program where we teach younger generations about the role of the Army in peace building, this OJT of the PMA Gabay-Laya Class of 2016 Army Cadets in our unit will form part of the battalion’s desire to invest in the future by molding our yonng generations to become peace and development advocates.” CMO 8IB / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/gabay-laya-class-2016-ii-cadets-visit-the-soldiers-of-bukidnon/