FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija—At least 375 new soldiers graduated on Monday afternoon from Candidate Soldier Course Class 493 and 494-17 at the grandstand of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division (7ID) of the Philippine Army here.
The graduates displayed their newly acquired skills for combat operations and military drills.
Symbolic entrustment of firearms took place during the ceremony, which put emphasis on the firearms given to the soldiers as instruments to protect fellow Filipinos against the terroristic activities of terrorist groups.
The new graduates will be deployed to the different battalions of 7ID, and will serve to further strengthen the forces of the Command. Proud relatives, loved ones and friends witnessed the occasion. It is still unknown where the soldiers would be deployed to their assigned areas and if they will be given time to spend with their families and loved ones before they are deployed.
In his speech, Maj. Gen. Felimon T. Santos Jr., the commander of 7ID and keynote speaker during the event, said continuously beefing up the strength of the Army is of prime importance to ensure there will be enough adequately trained and skilled forces that can quickly respond if any threatening situation occurs. He also thanked the families of the new soldiers for giving their support to the Philippine Army and taking pride that their relative has now finally donned their battle-dress uniform, reminding them further that although a military life is a life of service and danger, it is nonetheless a patriotic life that one could be proud of.