Army enlists 241 new soldiers to fight rebels in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, June 18  -- Some 241 soldiers took their oath Sunday as new members of the Philippine Army to fight insurgency in Eastern Visayas region.

The Army’s 8th Infantry Division reported that majority of new soldiers came from Samar and Leyte provinces. The Army held the enlistment ceremony at the Camp Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City, Samar.

Of the 241 new fighters, 52 of them are college graduates; 121 are college level and 68 are high school graduates with skills training from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“They will be honed for four months in basic military training and tactics and will serve as additional soldiers that will beef up the personnel strength of the infantry division,” said 8th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Raul Farnacio, in a statement issued Monday morning.

“No one signified to quit after the five stations in performing rigid exercises under the heat of the sun.”

Immediately after the enlistment program, the Army distributed clothing allowance to the new recruits and some needed equipment for their training.

From December 2017 to April 2018, the Philippine Army conducted examinations for Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test, Army Qualifying Examination/Special Written Examination for Officer Candidate Course, Officer Preparatory Course and Candidate Soldier Course to all aspiring qualified applicants from Eastern Visayas.

The newly-enlisted privates will boost the fight against Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) that has been affecting the development of the region.

Farnacio stressed the need to step up the training of soldiers and for government troops as they are at the forefront in fighting the NPA especially in remote communities in Samar Island.

On June 14, Private Jay Aranzado was killed in an encounter with a group of communist rebels in Senonogan De Tubang village, Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Private Aranzado. He died protecting the people of Northern Samar in pursuit of peace and development,” Farnacio added.

Farnacio asked military units in Northern Samar to press on with the pursuit operations to put an end to the terroristic activities of communist rebels. (SQM/PNA)