ILOILO City – The Philippines Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) welcomed 254 additional soldiers during the graduation ceremony of the Candidate Soldier (CS) Classes 606 and 607-2019 on Nov. 15.
Brigadier General Eric Vinoya said the soldiers were enlisted to the rank of Private First Class after completing three months of rigid candidate soldier course and jungle warfare mountain operation course facilitated by the 3rd Division Training School.
“You have proven yourselves worthy of wearing the uniform of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, always adhere to the highest standard of excellence and professionalism as you perform your duty to the people and country,” Vinoya said, reminding the new soldiers to avoid activities that could discredit or taint the military organization.
Private Melven Zausa – a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Home Technology graduate from Barangay Ogsip, Libacao, Aklan – received the Commander, 3ID Award for topping the 127 CS Class 607-2019 with a General Point Average of 89.43 percent in all evaluated subjects.
Private Reydan Durante – an undergraduate of BS in Marine Transportation from Barangay Katipunan, Sagbayan, Bohol – bagged the same award after emerging as the top student of Class 606-2019.
Durante was also a recipient of Commander’s Physical Proficiency Awards for obtaining the highest rating in Physical Fitness Test in Class 606.
The Chief of Staff, 3ID Awards were given to Private Eraldex Alfornon of Barangay Tomonoy Moalboac, Cebu and Private Gilbert Zonio of Barangay Ganson, Jamindan, Capiz for graduating No. 2 in Class 607 and 606, respectively.
The recipients of the Commandant, 3rd Division Training School Awards were Private Abe Gape of Barangay San Nicolas, Tapaz, Capiz and Private Francis Norbe of Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental for graduating No. 3 in Class 606 and 607, respectively.
Private Generoso Decipolo – a BS Criminology graduate from Barangay Poblacion, Mabinay, Negros Oriental – bagged the Commander’s Physical Proficiency Awards for obtaining the highest rating in Physical Fitness Test in Class 607.
Vinoya was optimistic that the soldiers will boost the government’s peace efforts to end decades-long local communist armed conflict in Central and Western Visayas./PN
