THE Army’s 11th Infantry Division (ID) has enlisted 50 professionals through the special enlistment program to be assigned to units that support the operating forces in the province of Sulu.
Major General Ignatius Patrimonio, 11ID commander, said the 50 newly enlisted privates from the special enlistment quota composed of 39 females of which 26 are Tausugs and 11 males of which five are Tausugs.
Patrimonio said they are composed of registered nurses; radiologic technology and information technology graduates; engineers; and draftsmen.
He said he was elated because the majority of the recruits were Tausugs and congratulated them at the start of their military career.
“Having many Tausugs in our unit will significantly contribute to the sustainment of peace and security here in Sulu,” Patrimonio said.
He said the number of female recruits were attributed to the Philippine Army's Gender and Development Program and 11ID's emphasis on gender equality.
He advised them to take good care of their service because many aspirants have undergone the recruitment process but only a few were chosen.
“Your development will always count on your self-discipline. Do not waste the opportunity and the privilege given you, to serve our country,” he said.
He said the new privates will be assigned to Post Units that support operating forces where their competencies are needed prior to their Basic Military Training.
He said the Special Enlistment of the Philippine Army is a mode for becoming a soldier where some requirements are reduced in consideration of the manpower knowledge and skills that the organization needs.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte, accompanied by then Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana, led the activation of the 11th Infantry "Alakdan" Division on December 17, 2018, at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, headquarters of Joint Task Force Sulu in Bus-Bus village, Jolo, Sulu.
Composed of units already present in Sulu working under Joint Task Force Sulu, the various units were for
med into a new Division dedicated in fighting the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (Isis)-affiliated terrorist groups in the region. (SunStar Zamboanga)