TACLOBAN CITY – A Roman Catholic bishop in Samar province has reminded new soldiers to be more professional and be good Filipino citizens.
Speaking before new recruits of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (ID) on Thursday, Calbayog Samar Diocese Bishop Isabelo Avarquez urged them to apply the characters expected of them.
“We should see our work as a real service to our country, to be good citizens of our country. Be good citizens, be good breed of soldiers. Use your profession for the greater glory of God and be productive for our country and community," Avarquez said.
The church leader was the guest of honor and speaker at the graduation of the new batch of soldiers under the 8th ID and the ceremonial entrustment of firearms to the newly enlisted soldiers.
The 8th ID has 154 new soldiers, majority of whom are from Eastern Visayas and Mindanao. On their educational profile, 19 of them are college graduates; 44 are college undergraduates; and 91 are high school graduates with skills training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
After the graduation of the new soldiers, the 8th ID began the training for a new batch of nearly 200 aspiring soldiers at the 801st Brigade camp in Hinabangan. There is also an ongoing recruitment of 500 soldiers in the region.
Interested applicants may proceed to the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for personnel and must bring along with them the original copy of the following documents: birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority, school grade records, school diploma, one 2x2 picture with name tag, and valid identification cards. (PNA)
