CANTILAN, Surigao del Sur -- Some six hundred thirty-three Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets from the different tertiary schools in Caraga Region completed the required number of days to qualify for graduation from the Advance ROTC Academic Phase Training (ARAPT) conducted by the 15th Regional Community Defense Group (15th RCDG), Army Reserve Command, Philippine Army on July 30, 2023 at the North-eastern Mindanao State University-Cantilan campus.
15th RCDG Commander Colonel Jonathan P. Obena explained that the purpose of conducting a region-wide training was to standardize knowledge and skills among the trainees, especially on drills and ceremonies. The leveling of understanding and execution of the commands was assured because there was only one team of military trainers who facilitated it until the training culminated. This approach would ensure the objectivity, fairness, and impartiality, of the conduct and evolution of the Regional Annual Administrative and Tactical Inspection (RAATI).
The graduates were composed of 429 cadets from ARAPT 31-32 and 204 cadets from ARAPT 41-42, of whom 372 were male and 223 were female.
The 429 ARAPT 31-32 are the incoming second-class advance ROTC officers who also completed earlier the ROTC Summer Camp Training (RSCT) in the same venue and immediately joined the opening of the ARAPT.
In his opening remarks, 15th RCDG Deputy Commander Colonel Calixtro D. Cadano, Jr., emphasized the gains that the cadets can benefit from taking ROTC. He said that in ROTC, we are multiplying leaders. We trained students to be disciplined, courteous, and productive individuals who can help improve the socio-economic condition of this country. And, most importantly, who can protect our people and the motherland.
The RSCT was opened by Dinagat Governor Nilo Demerey Jr., as the guest of honor and speaker, while its closing and opening of ARAPT were graced by Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago B. Cane, Jr. Both provincial governors were commissioned officers in the Philippine Army.
Major Nilo Demerey Jr. is the current battalion commander of the 150th Ready Reserved Infantry Battalion of Dinagat Island, while Lt. Col. Santiago B. Cane, Jr., PA (Res) is a former battalion commander of the 1502nd Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion of Agusan del Sur. Both are products of the ROTC program.
In his message, Lt. Col. Cane encouraged the cadets to pursue their ambitions and be successful army officers, citing his colorful experiences when he aggressively pursued his military ambitions even when he was still in high school as a battalion commander of the defunct Citizen Army Training (CAT). He narrated that during his time he was the youngest CAT commandant in Agusan del Norte, and during his stint, his school was always adjudged the number one in the province. Lt. Col. Cane asked the cadets to make military discipline a way of life. I would like to urge you to become good citizens and please love your country, Cane stressed. (Major Marcos M. Quico, PA (Res)/NGPB, PIA-Surigao del Sur)
