FIFTY-THREE candidate soldiers are now undergoing a 16-week rigorous training at the 11th Infantry Division Training School (IDTS) in the province of Sulu, officials said.
Colonel Wendell Basat, 11IDTS commandant, said the training of the candidate soldiers, who belong to Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) Class 655-2020, started Sunday, December 20, in Camp Bud Datu in Tagbak village, Indanan, Sulu.
Basat said majority of the CSC Class 655-2020 trainees are from Central Mindanao region and two of them are Tausugs or natives of Sulu.
Basat said the training will comprise of different modules that will prepare the candidate soldiers to be disciplined, responsible, and be equipped with war fighting capabilities.
Colonel Giovanni Franza, Metro Jolo Inter-Agency Task Group commander, the ceremony's keynote speaker, has encouraged the candidate soldiers to persevere the hardship of the training.
"The road ahead of you is full of hardship. A test of your character, attitude, strengths and skills. But after this, you will be part of the Philippine Army and you will also be able to contribute in attaining peace in Sulu," Franza said.
After completion of the training, they will be assigned to the different units under the Sulu-based Army's 11th Infantry Division (ID), which comprises of two infantry brigades.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Jerrica Angela Manongdo, 11ID information officer, said the CSC 655-2020 is the fourth batch to be trained by the 11IDTS.
Manongdo said the other three batches comprised of the following: CSC 620-2020, 237 candidates soldiers, including 184 Tausugs; CSC 638-2020, 146, including 11 Tausugs; and CSC 639-2020, 141, including 20 Tausugs.
She said there is an incoming special enlistment, which is pending approval of the higher headquarters. The trainees will also include Tausug applicants. (SunStar Zamboanga)