TACLOBAN CITY – Fifty-two newly trained soldiers, including one female, joined the Army force in Eastern Visayas, which continue to grapple with insurgency problem.
The new soldiers completed a rigorous 45-day Infantry Orientation Training (INFOT) at Camp Eugenio Daza, Barangay Fatima, Hinabangan, Samar. The training, which began on January 6 and concluded on February 19, prepared them for deployment to various battalions under the 8ID to enhance the unit’s operational readiness.
INFOT is designed to equip newly enlisted soldiers with the skills, knowledge, and discipline required to become effective members of an Infantry Squad and Fire Team.
The progressive course prepares them for various Army operations, including combat and peacekeeping missions.
In his message, Colonel Luzelito Betinol, Assistant Chief of Staff for Education and Training, underscored the significance of the training, emphasizing that the new privates were not only prepared for combat but also for a mission vital to ensuring lasting peace and sustainable development in the region.
“We are in a crucial phase of our campaign to end insurgency. Every action you take will help secure a better future for the people here, a future they truly deserve. The work ahead will not be easy, but the impact you make will resonate for generations,” said Betinol, who represented 8ID Commander Major General Adonis Ariel Orio.
He also challenged the new soldiers to uphold the values instilled in them during their training.
“You are fulfilling a responsibility much greater than yourselves, and we expect nothing less than your best. The people depend on you, and we, your fellow Stormtroopers, will stand with you in accomplishing this mission,” he added.
The newly graduated privates will be deployed to the 13 battalions under the 8ID, reinforcing its efforts to maintain security and stability in Eastern Visayas.
The Philippine Army in the region has vowed to eradicate insurgency in Eastern Visayas, particularly on Samar Island, before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term.
(ROBERT DEJON, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
