BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division further strengthened its anti-insurgency campaign in Western and Central Visayas following the completion of training of 149 more soldiers on August 9 at Camp General Macario Peralta Jr. in Jamindan, Capiz.
The 149 soldiers were enlisted to the rank of Private after completing the seven-month-long basic military training, as facilitated by the 3rd Division Training School.
As part of the tradition of entrustment rites, the new privates received their issued R4 Carbine rifle, from Jamindan Mayor Mac Arthur Valdemar of Capiz, symbolizing the supremacy of civilian authority over the military, assisted by Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander.
Capt. Kim Apitong, 3ID Public Affairs Office chief, said that the neophyte Army soldiers endured seven months of rigorous and disciplined Basic Military Training, were taught the fundamentals of soldiery and instilled with the Army’s core values of honor, duty, and patriotism.
In a statement, Arevalo congratulated the new Army privates, their families, and loved ones.
“The training of our new graduates has endured the mental and psychological pressure. It pushed one’s physical body to its limits and certain obstacles that brought out their camaraderie towards their brother. The drills conditioned them to be ready to face future challenges as the new members of the Philippine Army,” Arevalo said.
He added that the new 149 soldiers will be deployed in the different Army units stationed in Negros, Panay and Bohol.
Last month, 181 new Army soldiers were already deployed to their respective units, to strengthen anti-insurgency efforts in Western and Central Visayas.*
