CHR Chief entrusts firearms to 8ID’s new privates

By CMO Battalion, 8ID PA
February 26, 2011

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar  –  As the soldier’s constitutional mandate to protect and preserve the rights of the people, no less than the Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Hon. Loretta Ann “Etta” Rosales travelled the rugged terrain of Samar all the way from Manila to head the ceremonial entrustment of firearms to the new soldiers of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division during the graduation rites at Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar, 9 a.m. of February 25, Friday.

Another 186 young blooded soldiers were appointed to assist other agencies and stakeholders in the effort of attaining peace and development of Eastern Visayas upon deployment to different units of 8ID.

During their graduation rites, the young soldiers demonstrated the knowledge and skills they acquired from training particularly the showcase of discipline as they perfectly executed the military drills and exhibited different fighting techniques both with and without arms.  Aside from the traditional military tactics, they were also given lectures on the present Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan” so that they will be familiar with their roles as they join the military service as full time soldiers.

After the rigorous 5-month basic military training, they were cross-trained with the Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operations Course (JWMOC) that helped them adapt and cope up with the nature of terrain of Samar and Leyte provinces.  This has also taught them to survive solitarily in the thickly vegetated mountains where they usually spend most of the time being a soldier.

Major General Mario Chan, the commander of 8ID was very satisfied with the result of the training.  He also exhibited with the hundreds of witnesses and spectators the best among the few who successfully completed the training and expressed his confidence that they are all ready to be deployed in all areas of 8ID particularly in Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas and even in Mindanao.

As what he did in the past entrustment of firearms, he also reminded the young soldiers to uphold their oath of serving faithfully to God, country and people.  He also specifically gave an emphasis to the protection and preservation of human rights that he said is imperative to every soldier.

“Being a soldier means everything.  You must understand that we are here because our people need us, our country needs us and we are here because God permit us so we have to consider those things when we do our tasks in the field.  And in so doing, we must put a top priority on our list, the preservation and protection of our people’s right,” Major General Chan says.

He also recognized the support of the parents for letting their beloved sons to embrace the risk of serving the country by joining the noble profession of arms.

Meanwhile, Chairperson Etta Rosales rendered high regards with the very meaningful ceremonial entrustment of firearms for the protection of our people.

“To the new graduates, your guns are badges of responsibility. Use it for lawful purposes only.  Use it to protect the people and not to harass them.  Do not be corrupted by the power of the gun,” Rosales says.

She also recognized the participation of representatives from civil societies in the meaningful and symbolic handing over of firearms to the young soldiers who will be serving the country for the furtherance of peace and development.

Rosales also stressed that the road to winning the peace is not one where war is waged because with the advent of the IPSP “Bayanihan” the 8ID is in step to topple chaos and win peace.

With the new set of soldiers, the road to realize what was mentioned by CHR Chair coincides with the present thrust of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). IPSP “Bayanihan” carries out a people-centered peace and security mandate of involving a whole of the nation approach that would attain the peace and development that the people of Samar and Leyte had been longing for.