BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A total of 174 candidate soldiers are now undergoing a rigid six-month military training at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, in preparation for their deployment in the different infantry units in Regions 6 and 7.
Some of the 174 aspiring soldiers were Cafgu Active Auxilliaries, and Indigenous People (IPs), aspirants with special skills and reinstated soldiers
Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said that the recruitment of aspiring soldiers is in compliance with Presidential Directive Number 70 to conduct campaign-oriented admission of individuals through Special Enlistment to fast-track the AFP’s campaign against the New People’s Army and violent extremists.
Arevalo encouraged the candidate soldiers to finish the race they had started.
“The hardships you are about to experience are not punishments. These will make you stronger, better, faster, and deadlier,” he added.
Arevalo also reminded the aspiring soldiers to take the training seriously, for after graduation, they will be deployed and face more challenging situations and real threats.
“You should always remember the more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle,” he further said.*