Army deploys 240 new officers

The Philippine Army deployed over the weekend 240 new officers to boost military operations against terrorism and insurgency.

Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva said the batch of newlycommissioned 2nd lieutenants are members of the Philippine Military Academy Alab Tala Class of 2018 and graduates of the Officer Candidate School Adusque Class 49-17, as well as the British Army Commissioning Course 163 of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

191 men, 49 women

Villanueva said the deployment of the set of new Army officers, made up of 191 men and 49 women, was “very timely as the Army, through its ground units, just heightened and intensified its security campaign to suppress terrorism and insurgency the soonest possible time.”

He pointed out that they were fully trained in combat and tactical leadership and were schooled on the rule of law, human rights and international humanitarian law, “which is essential in the discharge of their duties and accomplishment of their assigned mission.”

Send-off

On Friday, the new batch of Army officers was given a send-off at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio before their deployment to various field units nationwide.

The acting Army commander Maj. Gen. Chad Isleta commended the newly commissioned officers for their willingness to accept “the challenges that come with our profession, even if this means having to voluntarily leave behind your families, friends and loved ones to protect a greater family, the Filipino citizenry.”

“Take pride that you are now a part of a force that is rapidly transforming into a world-class organization,” he added.