2 former members of NPA and ninety IPs survive the 1ID Candidate Soldier Course

By JONG D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (April 5 2018) – The 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army spearheaded the closing ceremony of Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) Classes 506, 507, 519 & 520 – 2017, with a symbolic entrustment of firearms in a ceremony held at 1ID Grandstand Thursday at 9am.

Division Public Affirs Office Chief Maj. Ronald E. Suscano said the graduation ceremony of the seven hundred thirty six (736) newly enlisted privates was graced by Tabak Chief Major General Roseller G Murillo AFP as keynote speaker during the simple yet meaningful occasion.

Maj. Suscano disclosed that the 736 new privates were composed of 90 IPs belonging to Subanen tribe, 2 former members of the New People’s Army, and others are Muslims and Christians of various ethnic group.

Likewise, of the 736 graduates, 29% are College graduates, 28% are High School graduates, 23% College level, & 20% are graduates of vocational courses certified by TESDA.  The age requirement for a candidate soldier applicant today is 18 to 25 years old. 

The privates were declared “graduates” by Lt Col Rufino de Leon, Commandant, 1st Division Training School (1DTS) for having completed the Basic Military Training (BMT) at  1DTS. The said BMT runs for a period of 4 months from December 4, 2017 to April 5, 2018, Maj. Suscano added.

Timuay Jose Macareal, Multi-Sectoral Group Council (MSGC) member representing the IP sector, said in his message that the firearms entrusted to the privates should be used properly to protect the Filipino people in attaining peace in Mindanao.  The priority and the quota allocation given to the IPs manifest the government’s concern for the marginalized sector, he further said.

Premier Divion Commander Maj Gen Roseller G Murillo AF in his speech asked a moment of silence for the late Candidate Soldier Randell G Berlin, who died while undergoing the training.  He also expressed an accolade of thanks to the family especially the parents of the graduates who entrusted their sons to be part of the military service.  Before ending his speech, he said that a short break will be given to the graduates to spend time with their family and share their experiences in  training before they will be deployed to the different field units under the administrative control of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division.

The activity culminated with a Ceremonial Entrustment of Firearms that symbolizes the magnitude of responsibility, duty and authority vested upon the soldiers in protecting the Filipino people.