MILITARY NURSES. Three nurses take oath Monday (June 1, 2020) as they enlist into the military service in line with the recruitment program of the Philippine Army. Officials say the new recruits will be deployed as front-liners for the government's coronavirus disease 2019 response. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army 1st Infantry Division)
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Three newly recruited nurses took their oath in the Army on Monday to serve the country and expressed readiness to be front-liners in the government's coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response, a top military official said Monday.
Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, the Army's 1st Infantry Division commander, said the three were enlisted in line with the Philippine Army's recruitment program and the need of registered nurses in the organization.
They took their oath in a ceremony in Camp Cesar Sang-an that houses the Army’s 1st Infantry Division in the town of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
Ponio, who administered the oath, said the new recruits were enlisted into the regular force to beef up the workforce of Camp Sang-an Station Hospital amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ponio said the nurses, whose names were withheld, will be ranked Privates as required in the special enlistment program of the Philippine Army.
As part of the acceptance of the unit, Ponio, together with Brig. Gen. Bagnus Gaerlan Jr., Assistant Division commander; and Col. Pompeyo Jason Almagro, Division Chief of Staff; pinned the unit patch, Tabak, to the three recruits.
“You are called to serve, reinforce, and strengthen the organization in its fight against the invisible enemy. Likewise, our support to the LGUs (local government units) who continuously serve the people who were affected by the pandemic is sustained,” Ponio said.
“Serve with courage, loyalty, and professionalism. Fight as a team, and together we can beat Covid-19,” he added.
He said the three newly enlisted privates will undergo military training upon the start of regular quota for candidate soldiers. (PNA)
