CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City (PIA)--A total of 302 new recruits to include former rebels (FRs) took their oath for military training during the Opening Ceremony of Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) Class 690 and 691 – 2021 held at 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, December 26.
BGen Oliver T Vesliño, acting commander of 4ID, officially opened the said training ceremonies and presided over the oath-taking of 302 young individuals composed of 172 persons with special skills; 64 CAFGU members; 48 Indigenous People (IP) members; 14 persons for reinstatement and four (4) former cadets of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) where they will undergo Basic Military Training (BMT) and Infantry Orientation Course (IOC) to complete the six months training at 4th Division Training School (DTS) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
Jessie ‘Dodong’ Iligan, alias Darwin, 27, resident of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur is one of the FRs chosen to undergo training and took their oath of duty and service to the country.
He could not hide his tears in expressing his gratitude to the Philippine Army for giving him a new breath of life and soon to become a regular member of the AFP to contribute to the peace and development efforts of the government.
“Sa akong mga kanhi nga kauban, ayaw mo pagpakabuta-bungol sa tinuod nga sitwasyon. Hatagi ug bili ang inyong mga kaugalingon ug hatagan ninyo ug maayong kaugmanon ang inyung pamilya ug atung nasud,” Iligan said.
(To my former comrades, don’t turn a blind eye to what’s really the situation, instead, value yourself and give your families and our country a better future)
Vesliño said the ceremony serves as a reminder of an oath of allegiance to the flag, which means that every soldier will defend the constitution, the people, and the country at all cost.
“This is something that every soldier swears and adheres to when entering the military service. You come at a time when the entire nation is rallying all its might to put an end to the local communist armed conflict. The national government is calling upon the entire nation, to work together to attain durable peace and sustainable development. Thus, the moment you become full-pledged soldiers, I want you to immediately get yourselves on board because we need all the help that we can muster,” Vesliño added. (4ID/PIA-10)
