LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur -- The 16-week training of the 663 new candidate-soldiers kicked-off Saturday, June 1, in Camp Sang-an that houses the headquarters of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division here.
The candidate-soldiers consist of 613 males and 50 females who are from across the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan, the Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, said the candidate-soldiers comprise the training quota for the 1st Infantry Division, 11th Infantry Division stationed in Sulu, and the 54th Engineering Brigade based in Zamboanga City.
Ancan said many are still interested to join and serve in the Philippine Army despite the possibility of being assigned in areas where clashes against rebels and terrorists often erupt.
He said the candidate-soldiers will be treated equally as trainees regardless of gender and religion.
“Many applied but few were chosen,” he added. (PNA)
