MAJOR General Generoso Ponio, 1st Infantry Division commander, has reminded the new 194 soldiers to stay safe, especially with the emergence of the Delta variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Ponio issued the reminder as the 194 new soldiers consisting of 163 males and 31 females completed their five-month training Friday, July 23, 2021 at the 1st Division Training School in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

Ponio noted that majority of the members of the candidate Soldier Course Class 651-2020 were infected with Covid-19 during the training. With the efforts of the 1st Infantry Division to combat the spread of the disease, the trainees were cleared from the virus.

“As new soldiers, the Filipino people expect that after you have taken your oath of affirmation, you will put that into heart as the highest order for you,” said Dipolog City Mayor Darel Dexter Uy who was present during the graduation.

“I believe that this is the essence of this ceremony where the people entrust on to you, as soldiers, the protection of the people and State,” Uy added.

Four candidate soldiers were recognized for their academic excellence and physical proficiency throughout the course.

Candidate Soldier Albert Firland Petiluna graduated on top of the class after garnering the highest general average of 92 percent.

Candidate Soldiers Clint Rey Armada and Archie Tizon are the top 2 and 3, respectively, of the class.

Candidate Soldier Jimboy Elopre received the Physical Proficiency Award after obtaining the highest rating in the physical fitness test.

The 194 new batch of soldiers are recruits from the different parts of the country where 74 percent are from Cebu.

The graduation ceremony culminated with the symbolic entrustment of firearms, which is the Philippine Army’s way of instilling nationalism and reminding the soldiers of the Army’s core values: Honor, Patriotism, and Duty. (SunStar Zamboanga)