279 new soldiers add teeth to 3ID’s anti-insurgency campaign

By Jennifer P. Rendon

More young blood will see action in the Visayas region in a bid to further strengthen the government’s anti-insurgency campaign.

This, as the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division officially welcomed into its folds 279 new soldiers during a ceremony held at Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz on Monday, February 10.

They took their oath for the Candidate Soldier Course training with Major General Eric Vinoya, 3rd ID commander, as guest of honor.

Vinoya acknowledged that entering the military profession is a big challenge and risks.

But he extolled the newbie soldiers’ families and relatives for supporting their decision in joining the noble profession of arms.

“Tanggapin ninyo ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat sa inyong pagtugon sa hamon at tawag ng tungkulin sa larangan ng pagsusundalo, na kung saan ay maraming nag-aalinlangang tumanggap, dahil na rin sa mga panganib na kaagapay ng marangal na propesyon na ito,” Vinoya said.

(Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for accepting the challenge and for answering the call of soldiery wherein many people are intimidated because of the risks that come with this noble profession.)

The aspiring soldiers, who successfully passed the strict and meticulous selection processing standard set forth by the Philippine Army, will undergo rigid training under the Candidate Soldier Course and Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operations Course.

The 3rd Division Training School will oversee and manage the soldiers’ training, which is expected to be done in six months.

Last November 2019, the 3ID also boosted its anti-insurgency campaign following the completion of the training of the newly-hired soldiers.