151 new ‘Matikas’ privates reinforce E. Visayas

By DPAO, 8ID PA
August 4, 2020

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – The 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army produced another 151 new soldiers during the closing ceremony of Candidate Soldier Course ‘Matikas’ Class 633-2020 at the 8ID Grandstand on August 4, 2020.

The ceremony was graced by Lord Byron P. Torrecacion, Regional Director, Office of the Civil Defense, Regional Office VIII, as the Guest of Honor and Speaker who also led the ceremonial entrustment of firearms together with senior military officers and partner stakeholders.

Out of the 190 original strength of the class, only 151 successfully hurdled the six months rigorous training.

Graduating from the course is not a piece of cake as new soldiers were properly nurtured with the basic skills and knowledge of soldiery in order to develop their character worthy to become members of the Armed Forces.

Among them, 102 were from Samar, 37 from Leyte, six from Mindanao, two from Luzon, two from Cebu, one from Iloilo, and one from Negros Occidental. Sixty of them were college graduates, 40 were college undergraduates and 51 were high school graduates with skills training from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The newly enlisted privates will provide a much-needed boost in the fight against the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) in Eastern Visayas who have been disturbing the peace and development of the region.

Director Torrecacion said that the hardships experienced by the soldiers while training have molded them to become responsible and professional soldiers of the people.

“You are now Stormtroopers, as such more people will look to you for strength, support, and solution to their problems. And those behind you are the ones who cannot defend themselves. They are your families, they are the weak and the oppressed. They are your neighbors and your friends, they are the Filipino people.”

Major General Pio Q. Diñoso III PA, Commander, 8ID, extended his profound congratulations to the proud parents who have given their all-out support and entrusted their sons to 8ID.

“Sa mga magulang, kapamilya at mga kaibigan na nanunuod ngayon sa kani-kaniyang bahay, hindi niyo man masasaksihan ng personal ang ating mga bagong sundalo, sinisigurado ko sa inyo na ang inyong anak o kapatid ay isa nang malakas, matikas at magiting na lalaki na may direksyon sa buhay. Maraming salamat at ipinagkatiwala ninyo sila sa amin at nawa’y patuloy ninyo silang gabayan at suportahan dito sa pinili nilang propesyon at makapagsilbi sa bayan. Kayo mismo bilang kanilang kapamilya ang katuwang namin sa pagsusulong ng mga programa ng Hukbong Katihan para sa pagkamit ng ating minimithing kapayapaan tungo sa matiwasay at maunlad na komunidad.”

He also stressed to the new soldiers that their enlistment in the AFP is now the beginning of their true service to the government.