168 new officers, joins the Philippine Army

31 August 2018 OCS pic

FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila– A new batch of officers composed of 168 graduates of the Officer Candidate Course “Emancipator” Class 50 – 2018 joins the Philippine Army in a simple closing rite on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at the Officer Candidate School (OCS), TRADOC, Camp O’ Donnell, Capas,Tarlac.

Major General Robert M. Arevalo, the Army Vice Commander presided their commissionship as 2nd Lieutenants in the Regular Force in behalf of the Commanding General, Philippine Army.

In the history of OCS, the class has the largest number comprised of professional individuals such as teachers, criminologists, nurses, engineers, bankers, agriculturist, and others.

2nd Lieutenant Luwiemae Maceda, a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Technology Communication from Cagayan De Oro City received the Secretary of National Defense Saber award for ranking number one.

“I want to make a difference in the Filipinos lives. It doesn’t matter if I’m a female,” Maceda said. “We are very thankful that OCS had prepared us to be mentally, physically, and emotionally ready to face the challenges in the real world of armed service.”

On the other hand, 2nd Lieutenant Alvin Nicolas Jr., and 2nd Lieutenant Vincent Dacomos, both an engineer by profession received the Chief of Staff Saver Award and Commanding General Philippine Army Saver Award for graduating number two and three respectively.

Major General Casiano G. Monilla, Commander of Training and Doctrine Command said, “I am fully confident that this young servant leaders idealism, nobility and patriotism shall always flourish. As a training institution, the Command strived hard to fortify them and engrain in their hearts the virtues of Valor, Integrity and Duty.”

Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) was the Guest of Honor and Speaker, wherein he profoundly congratulated the valiant, patriotic and dutiful soldiers for hurdling the one-year rigorous training. He encouraged the graduates to give their best in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, because not all can be given opportunity to serve the country and people. “Our common denominator is that we both envision to build our country and people,” he added.

Relatedly, Army Spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva said that the Army Personnel Management Center had just recently launched the new web application to boosts its recruitment process and encourage more professionals to join the Army.

He said that the 168 OCS graduates will also be soon deployed as additional to the previously dispatched 240 2nd lieutenants aimed at bolstering the Army’s tactical units who are at the forefront of quelling insurgency and terrorism.#