81 new soldiers to join AFP

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines — Eighty-one new soldiers will join the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) after they passed a special training at the Army’s 5th Infantry Division (5ID) in Gamu, Isabela, the military said yesterday.

Capt. Rigor Pamittan, chief of the 5ID’s public affairs office, said the soldiers were officially recognized as organic members of the Army after completing a six-month extensive training.

The new soldiers with the rank of private underwent physical and mental stability training as well as jungle-warfare-mountain-operations course.

Of the graduates, Claudine Pasion, 20, of Solana, Cagayan topped the Kawal na Sinanay ng Isip, Galing, Lakas At Buhay Ang Nilaan or KASIG-LABAN Class of 2021 with a grade of 90.52 percent.

She is followed by Joel Tabanganay Jr. of Tabuk, Kalinga with a grade of 90.26 percent, and Raymund Natividad of Cabagan, Isabela with 90.04 percent.

Isabela logged the most number of graduates with 34 followed by Kalinga with 18, Cagayan 14, Pangasinan six and Ifugao two.

The provinces of Batangas, Ilocos Norte, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Southern Leyte had one graduate each.

Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, commander of 5ID, said the rookie soldiers, composed of 71 males and 10 females, would be assigned in the Cordilleras and Cagayan Valley, where the 5ID operates.