Tabak Division welcomes 194 new Filipino soldiers (Philippine Army)

CAMP SANG-AN, Zamboanga Del Sur – The 1st Infantry Division has finally concluded the five-month training of the candidate soldiers belonging to CSC Class 651-2020 here July 23.

The 194 new batch of soldiers are recruits from the different parts of the country where 74% are from the Cebuano area.

Class 651 is composed of 31 females and 163 males who were carefully selected to form the new breed of soldiers that are the best and the brightest among other recruits.

Maj. Gene M. Ponio, the 1ID commander, reminded the graduates to stay safe, especially now that new coronavirus strains are emerging. It can be recalled that the Covid-19 disease infected the majority of the class. But with the efforts of the Division to combat the spread of the disease, the trainees were finally cleared from Covid-19.

Ponio personally thanked Hon. Darel Dexter T. Uy, the mayor of Dipolog City and the keynote speaker, and his father, Hon. Roberto Y. Uy, the governor of Zamboanga del Norte, for their continued support to the Tabak Division.

Hon. Uy is a reservist officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rank of Major. He is currently the commander of the 1st Task Force, 2302nd Ready Reserve Combined Arms Brigade, 9th Regional Community Defense Group, Army Reserve Command.

“As new soldiers, the Filipino people expect that after you have taken your oath of affirmation, you will put that into heart as the highest order for you,” Mayor Uy said in his message. “I believe that this is the essence of this ceremony where the people entrust on to you, as soldiers, the protection of the people and State.”

Four candidate soldiers were recognized for their academic excellence and physical proficiency throughout the course.

Candidate Soldier Albert Firland M. Petiluna graduated No. 1 after garnering the highest general average of 92 percent. Candidate Soldiers Clint Rey R. Armada and Archie A. Tizon are the Class Top 2 and Top 3, respectively.

Candidate Soldier Jimboy M. Elopre received the Physical Proficiency Award after obtaining the highest rating in the physical fitness test.

The activity culminated with the symbolic entrustment of firearms, which is the Philippine Army’s way of instilling nationalism and reminding the soldiers of the Army’s core values: Honor, Patriotism, and Duty. (AFP)