Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City— A total of 251 determined applicants who aspire to become members of the Philippine Army took their oath at 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, Philippine Army, Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City on June 4, 2019, Tuesday at around 3:30 in the afternoon.
The Candidate Soldier Selection Board recommended to Commander, 4ID the latest batch composed of 236 males and 15 females coming from Regions 9, 10, 11 and CARAGA.
They underwent a comprehensive and very competitive selection process which includes passing the written, physical and medical exams, trade test, board interviews and completed the basic clearances from various government agencies.
These young individuals were the most qualified among the 558 applicants.
They diligently complied with the requirements, competed all the tests and performed their best in order to be included in the Calendar Year 2019 quota for the Candidate Soldier Course.
The Candidate Soldiers will undergo six-months of intensive military training.
It was observed that an increasing number of applicants wanted to join the noble profession of arms and serve their country.
There is also an increasing number ofb inquiries about the coming schedules for the next batches of Armed Forces of the
Philippines Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT).
Floriza Maca, 24 years old, a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management and an IP member of Manobo tribe from San Miguel, Surigao del Sur is very grateful.
“I’m very much thankful to God for giving me this opportunity, I’ll do my best so that I could help my parents, other members of our tribe and the community.
It is an honor and privilege for me as an IP to join this noble profession of arms. It is a dream come true to be able to serve and become one of the respected heroes in our country.”
“As a graduate of the Youth Leadership Summit, my heartfelt gratitude also goes to the Army troops who guided me all the way.” Maca added.
Likewise, Aldo Maderal, 24 years old, a license criminologist from Balingasag, Misamis Oriental said, “I am thankful to the government because my family is a 4Ps recipient. I also grew up in a conflict affected area and observed the hardships in our community. This will serve as my motivation to strive hard and finish the training so that later on, I can be of greater help to my community and set as an example to the youth in our barangay. My dream to join the Army started when I participated in the ROTC program during College.”
Further, he proudly said, “Sir, I hope not to fail because this is a very rare opportunity accorded to me. I want to make my family proud of me someday”.
On his message, Col Philip S Lapinid, Assistant Division Commander for Reservist and Retirees Affairs said, “Today’s Oath Taking ceremony signifies that you are now prepared to begin your metamorphosis as soldiers who shall be ready to take on the challenges of partaking a role in national defense and as a soldier who shall beequipped to contribute in the goal of attaining sustainable peace and development”.
“Remember that this significant day will remind you of the life you have to leave behind. Your profession will transport you to a new world of service to the nation. From now on, you no longer carry the identities that you once possessed as civilians before you entered the military service. You will be trained and molded to become a professional soldier”. Lapinid added.
Major General Franco Nemesio M Gacal, Commander 4ID said, “This is a welcome infusion of younger generation who has the burning desire to become professional soldiers in the Philippine Army. The Division Training School will properly train and transform them so that in the days to come, they will significantly contribute to the government’s campaign of ending local communist armed conflict in Regions 10 and CARAGA. Do your best, train hard and learn the basics because while you are training, 4ID will carry on with its campaign to sustain the peace in the area. There will be no let-up in our operations until Communist NPA Terrorists surrender and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP)”, Gacal ended. (CPT REGIE H GO (INF) PA)
