• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Former rebel James “Ka Joros” Durimon is on his way to his dream of becoming a member of the Philippine Army, as he completed on July 28 his Basic Education, through the efforts of the 79th Infantry Battalion and the Department of Education.
Ka Joros was among the 212 K-to-12 graduates from 21 barangays of Escalante City, who attended the graduation rites and completion ceremony held at a coliseum in Hacienda Fe, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
Now serving as a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit, the achievement of Ka Joros, who previously surrendered to the 79IB, serves a stepping stone for him to continue serving his country, in order to become a qualified enlistment in the regular force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, according to 1Lt. Analyn Lonjawon, the battalion Civil Military Operations officer.
The former rebel expressed his gratitude to the continued support of 79IB and his “Ate Glen,” also a former rebel, who is now a regular member of the Philippine Army, whom he described as his “mentor and adviser.”
In a statement, Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB commanding officer, also congratulated Ka Joros, whose perseverance and sacrifices to secure a better future for himself and his family, will serve as a “call” to the remaining rebels to surrender, lay down their arms, and pursue their education to secure brighter future as they return to the mainstream of society.*
