By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A total of 221 new privates recently took their oath as members of the Philippine Army during a graduation and ceremonial entrustment of firearms ceremony at the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) headquarters at Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.

The newly-enlisted soldiers of the Spearhead Division are members of Candidate Soldier (CS) Classes 556-2018 and 557-2018.

They successfully completed the three-month candidate soldier course and jungle warfare mountain operation course, both of which were held at the 3rd Division Training School.

“Your life as candidate soldiers had been confined within the training camp and training values,” said 3ID commander, Major General Dinoh Dolina. “Now, as real soldiers, you will be facing more complex environment and challenges.”

He also reminded the new soldiers to avoid anything that could discredit them and taint their military organization.

Meanwhile, Private Gideon Fusin of Barangay Cabugao, Calinog, Iloilo topped the CS Class 556-2018 with a 94.15 percent grade-point average (GPA); while Private Jenhrod Maceda from Barangay Maralag, Mambusao, Capiz topped CP Class 557-2018 with a 94 percent GPA./DGB, WDJ