LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur – The commander of 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army reminded the 137 new soldiers of their duties and responsibilities in protecting the lives of the people and defend the Motherland.
In the entrustment of firearms ceremony held last Jan. 11 at the Tabak gymnasium, Camp Major Cesar Sang-an, Barangay Pulacan of this municipality, MGen. Felicito Virgilio M. Trinidad Jr. said “the activity is meant to emphasize to the new privates (soldiers) that the firearms being entrusted to them is a symbol of the duties and responsibilities they are sworn to faithfully and judiciously carry out to protect the people and defend the motherland as enshrined in the Philippine Constitution.”
“The firearms that the Philippine Army (PA) has entrusted you are not a baton of authority but rather of service,” Trinidad told the new privates who just successfully hurdled six months of rigorous training before they were enlisted into regular force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
As a gesture of entrustment, Trinidad invited the stakeholders to join him in entrusting the firearms to the new soldiers symbolizing that the very people the soldiers have committed to serve are the ones giving them the authority to use these weapons to maintain peace in pursuit of various initiatives aimed at uplifting the well-being of the general public.
Josefina town mayor Maria Fe Pitogo was among the stakeholders invited to grace the occasion and to reaffirm the new soldiers’ adherence to the principle of civilian supremacy over the military in times of war and peace.
“The presence of our special guests representing various stakeholders is indeed a welcome opportunity for us in the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Dvision to express our utmost gratitude for the trust, support and cooperation bestowed upon the soldiers in this part of the country and in the spirit of ‘Bayanihan’,” said Trinindad.
“This occasion is our humble way of giving honor to the trust and confidence you bestowed upon us in the AFP,” Trinidad added.
Following the event was a simple sendoff ceremony of the new soldiers to their respective unit assignments “to pursue their career in the noble tradition of arms.”
“It is expected of you that in the face chaos and danger, you will act in accordance with the laws of the land and rules and regulations of the AFP. Always bear in mind that when you face the odds, it is always a fight for the greater glory of the Almighty Father, for the sake of our country and for the good of the service,” Trinidad concluded. (PIA9)
