Ceremonial Entrustment of Firearms and Send-off for New Tabak Troopers

Posted by MINDANAO PAGADIAN FRONTLINE

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Jan 23, 2015) – A Total of 143 privates soldiers of the 1^st Infantry Division were symbolically entrusted of firearms by civilian stakeholders in a ceremony at Division Grandstand, Kuta Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur Thursday morning.

Division Public Affairs Officer Capt. Franco Suelto said it is exactly a month after the 143 strong men aged 21 to 26 who came from the different provinces and tribes in Zamboanga Peninsula, Lanao Provinces and Misamis Occidental (ZAMPELAN) graduated from their Candidate Soldier Course Training. 

Suelto said they were given the mandatory academic leave and yuletide break before this ceremony prior deployment to the different units of the Division.

Suelto added the Ceremonial Entrustment of Firearms to new privates is the institutionalization of the means to instill nationalism and service-oriented attitude among soldiers upon their entry to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.  In particular, the issuance of their respective firearms, although usually done once dispatched ot the field units, must be given corresponding symbolism as somethins that each soldier will bear for as long as he/she is in the armed service.

The invited stakeholders who symbolically represent the different sectors of the society were Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur Mayor Marlon B. Valenzuela, Chairman of 1ID Multi-sectoral Governance Council (MSGC) – Legal Sector

Attorney Florendo B. Opay, Mrs. Mercedes Lourdes Quisumbing from the Business Sector; Mr. Vic Del Pilar – Vice Chairman 1ID MSGC; Sultan Maguid Maruhom from the Civil society Organization (CSO) Sector; Ms. Mai Jongco from the Media Sector.  It was also attended by families and friends of the new privates.

Mayor Valenzuela in his message emphasized the responsibility of the soldiers to protect and serve the people.  As a former soldier, he noticed the vast improvent of the military as an institution in ensuring the new privates has the necessary perspective in their military carreer in service to the nation. He also extend his gratitude to the Division in implementing this activity to emphasize that the dictum “civilian supremacy over the military.”

While Atty. Opay also mentioned in his message that the subordination of the military over the civilian is a vital part of the mechanism of the democratic institution.  He also mentioned the good feedback from the stakeholders in the variety of role of the military in the society.

Brigadier General Barrientos remarked that the new privates soldiers must be discipline and always be reminded that the existence of the Army is because of the people.  It is the mandate of all soldiers to give their best in service and protection of the people even making the ultimate sacrifice.  He also told the new privates that the activity is start their military career in the right tone incultate the right attitude and values before their deployment to field units in Western Mindanao even to Basila and Jolo.

Barrientos also reminded them on the CSAFP, General Catapang’s slogan “Kawal ay Disiplinado, Bawal Abusado, Dapat Asintado” as a guide in their military career and bid the new private to contribute to the IPSP Bayanihan and Army Transformation Roadmap by doing their duty faithfully with honor and professionalism.