MANILA, Philippines - A total of 134 new officers have been commissioned in the military.
Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the 134 officers were commissioned last Saturday after completing a year of training in various officer candidate schools.
Of the 134 new officers, 33 finished the Philippine Army Officer Candidate Course, 57 came from the Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School and 44 took the Naval Officers Candidate Course.
Graduates of Officer candidate schools have also displayed their remarkable capabilities in handling vital assignments.
Army, Air Force and Navy officer candidate schools train civilians and enlisted personnel holding college degrees to be members of the military.
The joint graduation ceremony of pre-entry courses for officers was held at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin was guest of honor and speaker of the graduation ceremony.
AFP chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa, commanders of the major services, members of the Joint Staff, and commandants of candidate schools were also present.
President Aquino has ordered the new officers to ensure that the rule of law would benefit the public.
“I know that you (new officers) left the private sector and joined the service, not to bask in power but to uphold the integrity but more importantly to herald hope in communities devastated by strife and misunderstanding,” Gazmin quoted Aquino as saying during the graduation ceremony.
Dellosa said the hard work that the new military officers have demonstrated would provide them the chance to serve the country.
“I hope that you will live up to the expectations attached in your designations as new commissioned officers of the AFP,” he said.
During the graduation ceremony, AFP Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Rolando Jungco read an order formally making the new officers members of the military.
The graduates also took their oath as AFP commissioned officers and were inducted to the Officer Candidate School Alumni Association.