ABS-CBN Talk Show Host inspires 8ID new breed Soldiers

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – Today, the prominent media icon Mr. Eugenio “Boy” Abunda Jr, a Talent Manager and Talk Show Host of ABS-CBN attended the Ceremonial Entrustment of Firearms of Philippine Army Candidate Soldier Course Class 273-11 cross trained with Jungle Warfare Mountain Operation Course Class 273-11 of 8^th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division as Guest of Honor and Speaker. The ceremony was held at 8ID Grandstand spearheaded by Major General Mario F Chan, Commander of 8ID at about 6 o’clock in the evening.

The Mandala Class is composed of 119 new Privates. 13 of them are from Luzon, 24 from Mindanao and majority of them from Visayas specifically from the islands of Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Panay. For their educational background, 57 of them are high school graduates, 30 are college undergraduates and 32 are college graduates with 1 criminologist and 2 registered nurses. They successfully completed the four months training molded by the 8^th Division Training Unit.

During the ceremony, the new breed of soldiers showed the fighting capability of a soldier without arm in self defense demonstration using bayonet, arnis, taekwondo and pekiti-tirsia kali that amazed the audience.

Different stakeholders were also present to execute the entrustment of firearms named Rev. Fr. Arnulfo G. Sison, Parish Priest of Jiabong, Samar; Hon. Charita M Chan, Mayor of Babatngon; Hon Maria Fe R Abunda, Mayor of Borongan City; Hon. Stephany U Tan, City Councilor of Catbalogan City; Ms Christine AC Caidic, PIO, Samar Provincial; Engr. Luis D. Ortiz Jr,; Mr Roque D Villarin; Ms Marilyn D. Cardoso; and Dr. Jojit M. Casiño.

In his message, MGen Chan is very much thankful for the presence of media icons. He was looking for Samareños who are successful today as an inspiration not only to the young soldiers but to all Samarenos. That’s why he invited Mr. Boy Abunda to be the guest of honor and speaker of the ceremony.

The proud Samareño Boy Abunda expressed his heartfelt gratitude to MGen Chan for inviting him in this meaningful ceremony. He emphasized to the young soldiers the value of courage, trust and accountability of handling their firearms upon bringing the peace and order of our country. He also shared his experiences to the new privates on how to be a strong man and not to be hopeless in achieving their goals in life as what makes him now. “We are so interconnected; we should be celebrating commonalities rather than insisting differences because at the end of the day we are similar” says Boy. He was also thankful to the parents of the graduates who entrusted to their sons to be service oriented soldier of the nation.

Mgen Chan gave a plaque of appreciation and battle dress attire to Mr Eugenio “Boy” Abunda Jr. as a memento for granting their request and for inspiring 8ID soldiers as well as the parents of the new soldiers and visitors who have witnessed the ceremony. The 8ID will continue in protecting and developing Samar Island through the collective effort of Samareños and stakeholders in the region.###.

8ID Inter-Agency Response Saves Japanese Nationals

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City – a service vehicle of the Ciriaco Hotel in Calbayog City with seven Japanese nationals on board met an accident on November 6 at about 1:25PM along the Maharlika Highway at the vicinity of Barangay Tizon, Tarangnan, Samar. The service vehicle was on its way back to Calbayog City after visiting sites for medical mission when it collided with a cargo truck heading towards the opposite direction.

The headquarters of the 14^th Infantry Battalion (14IB) Philippine Army was immediately informed of the incident being the primary Army unit in-charge of security in the area. Lt.Col. Jennie M Heyasa, the Executive Officer of the battalion, dispatched a rescue team with two vehicles to facilitate the transport of the injured persons to the Samar Provincial Hospital. The 14IB also sought the assistance of the Tarangnan Municipal Police Office which sent a team to address the law enforcement concerns on the incident.

The Camp Lukban Station Hospital of the 8^th Infantry Division also sent an ambulance with a medical team to assist the rescue team of 14IB in the evacuation of the injured persons to Catbalogan City.

After the initial treatment of the injured persons at the Samar Provincial Hospital, the hospital provided an ambulance along with the ambulance of the Saint Camillos Hospital that was sent from Calbayog City to bring the patients to Saint Paul Hospital in Tacloban City for further treatment.

All of the patients except one are now in stable condition according to the attending physician. Mr. Yoshinori Miura who is suffering from disorientation is still confined at the hospital Intensive Care Unit.

MGen. Mario F Chan AFP, the Commander of the 8^th Infantry Division expresses his heartfelt gratitude to all the organizations who readily offered their services to make the evacuation and treatment of the injured persons a success.###

8ID soldiers join Filariasis Awareness Month

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City – Today, the soldiers of 8^th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division led by Major Jojo D. Montañer, Executive Officer of 8^th Civil Military Operations Battalion joined the Provincial Launching of November Filariases Awareness Month dubbed as “Filariases sugpuin, Gamot ay inumin... Isang beses, Isang taon”. This activity was held at Cocina de Cabral, Catbalogan City.

The activity was initiated by the Samar Provincial Hospital led by Dra. Dulce Cernal, Provincial Health Officer II. It was successfully done through motorcade in the area of Catbalogan City. Different agencies were also present to witness the launching of this activity. Dra. Cernal expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the participation of the soldiers and for the successful launching. Meanwhile, Ms. Norma Yangson, the Program Coordinator, discussed the prevention and control of Filariasis.

Department of Health in Eastern Visayas stated that Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by small worms called as Wucheria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. This can be transferred to a person through bites of mosquitoes found at leaves of banana, abaka, gaway and pandan.

As Bayanihan continues, the 8ID and other stakeholders keep on doing their part to help the province of Samar to be more productive and aware of whatever diseases may take place in the region.###

105 Candidate Soldiers take oath

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City–Today, the 8^th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army held the oath taking ceremony of 105 Candidate Soldiers of Philippine Army Candidate Soldier Course Class 289-11 at 8ID Grandstand, Camp General Vicente Lukban, Maulong, Catbalogan City with Major General Mario F. Chan, Commander of 8ID, as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

In his message, Gen Chan congratulated the new recruits for making the first step of becoming professional members of the AFP. He encouraged them to learn as much as they can during the training in order to become effective and efficient soldiers capable of delivering quality output.

The new recruits come from the different provinces across the country; 15 are from Luzon, 66 are from Visayas, and 24 are from Mindanao. On their educational background, one is a Registered Nurse, 10 are college graduates while others are college level and high school graduates with special skills needed by the AFP. ###

8ID, a Partner Organization in Conducting YLS 2011

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City – The 8^th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army joined the activities of the Local Government of Catbalogan City and Hinabangan, Samar. This morning, the Local Government of Catbalogan City conducted the opening ceremony of its 1^st Catbalogan Youth Leadership Summit 2011 held at the 8ID Grandstand. This activity is dubbed as “Catbalogan’s Hope and Mobilizers for Progress”.

This activity was attended by Colonel Raylindo S. Aniñon, Chief of Staff, 8ID, PA; Lieutenant Colonel Niceforo M. Diaz, Commanding Officer, 8^th Civil Military Operations Battalion; Hon. Art Sherwin L. Gabon, City Vice Mayor of Catbalogan; Hon. Stephany U. Tan, City Councilor of Catbalogan; Hon. Rodrigo Perez III, City Councilor of Catbalogan; Hon. Dexter M. Uy, President, Sangguniang Kabataan City Federation; Mr. Brian Manicani, President, Junior Chamber International – Balud Chapter; Mr. Dennis Cosmod, President, Waray-Waray Youth Advocates; soldiers; policemen; representatives from different partner agencies and organizations; and the participants of this activity.

As part of this activity, the Run for the Youth 2011 was also conducted before the opening ceremony. During the program, the awarding of the winners was held. This fun run has two (2) categories. The first category was participated in by children aging ten (10) years and below, and has a distance of one thousand five hundred meters (1, 500 m). The winners for this category were: Jhon Mark Lagbo, 1^st place and Vembone Elejedo, 2^nd place. Moreover, the second category was participated in by youth aging eleven (11) years and above, and has a distance of three thousand meters (3,000 m). The winners for this category were: Dodito Paculdo, 1^st place and Allan Latuja, 2^nd place.

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony of Youth Leadership Summit 2011 in Hinabangan, Samar was held yesterday at Hinabangan Elementary School. Hon. Alejandro N. Abarratigue, Municipal Mayor of Hinabangan, Samar, was the Keynote Speaker during this program.

This ceremony was also attended by Colonel Romeo L. Labador, Commanding Officer, 801^st Brigade, 8ID, PA; Hon. Janssen Alvy R. Abarratigue, President, Samar Provincial Sangguniang Kabataan Federation; Rev. Fr. Rodolfo Aquino, Parish Priest of Hinabangan, Samar; soldiers; representatives from different agencies and organizations; and the participants of this activity.

The 8ID supports YLS activities to further enable the youth and the LGUs to withstand the negative influence of threat groups in the region.###

ABS-CBN Talk Show Host inspires 8ID new breed soldiers

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – Today, the prominent media icon Mr. Eugenio “Boy” Abunda Jr, a Talent Manager and Talk Show Host of ABS-CBN attended the Ceremonial Entrustment of Firearms of Philippine Army Candidate Soldier Course Class 273-11 cross trained with Jungle Warfare Mountain Operation Course Class 273-11 of 8^th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division as Guest of Honor and Speaker. The ceremony was held at 8ID Grandstand spearheaded by Major General Mario F Chan, Commander of 8ID at about 6 o’clock in the evening.

The Mandala Class is composed of 119 new Privates. 13 of them are from Luzon, 24 from Mindanao and majority of them from Visayas specifically from the islands of Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Panay. For their educational background, 57 of them are high school graduates, 30 are college undergraduates and 32 are college graduates with 1 criminologist and 2 registered nurses. They successfully completed the four months training molded by the 8^th Division Training Unit.

During the ceremony, the new breed of soldiers showed the fighting capability of a soldier without arm in self defense demonstration using bayonet, arnis, taekwondo and pekiti-tirsia kali that amazed the audience.

Different stakeholders were also present to execute the entrustment of firearms named Rev. Fr. Arnulfo G. Sison, Parish Priest of Jiabong, Samar; Hon. Charita M Chan, Mayor of Babatngon; Hon Maria Fe R Abunda, Mayor of Borongan City; Hon. Stephany U Tan, City Councilor of Catbalogan City; Ms Christine AC Caidic, PIO, Samar Provincial; Engr. Luis D. Ortiz Jr,; Mr Roque D Villarin; Ms Marilyn D. Cardoso; and Dr. Jojit M. Casiño.

In his message, MGen Chan is very much thankful for the presence of media icons. He was looking for Samareños who are successful today as an inspiration not only to the young soldiers but to all Samarenos. That’s why he invited Mr. Boy Abunda to be the guest of honor and speaker of the ceremony.

The proud Samareño Boy Abunda expressed his heartfelt gratitude to MGen Chan for inviting him in this meaningful ceremony. He emphasized to the young soldiers the value of courage, trust and accountability of handling their firearms upon bringing the peace and order of our country. He also shared his experiences to the new privates on how to be a strong man and not to be hopeless in achieving their goals in life as what makes him now. “We are so interconnected; we should be celebrating commonalities rather than insisting differences because at the end of the day we are similar” says Boy. He was also thankful to the parents of the graduates who entrusted to their sons to be service oriented soldier of the nation.

Mgen Chan gave a plaque of appreciation and battle dress attire to Mr Eugenio “Boy” Abunda Jr. as a memento for granting their request and for inspiring 8ID soldiers as well as the parents of the new soldiers and visitors who have witnessed the ceremony. The 8ID will continue in protecting and developing Samar Island through the collective effort of Samareños and stakeholders in the region.###.

8ID celebrates IHL Day

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – On August 8, 2011, the 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army commemorated the International Humanitarian Law Day in a simple yet meaningful way during the Monday Flag Raising Ceremony Openiano Field, Camp General Vicente Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar. It was spearheaded by Major General Mario F Chan, the Division Commander.

“International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons

who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. It is also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict.”

Colonel Virgilio M Espineli, the Assistant Division Commander and at the same time Human Rights Officer, read the message of IHL in front of the soldiers to strictly respect, adhere, abide, and support the provisions of the IHL in connection to their duties and functions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He also led the AFP Soldier’s Pledge of Reaffirmation and Support for the IHL. The soldiers of the 8ID are now more aware of their commitment to strictly observe and respect the provisions of IHL.

Likewise, during this celebration, the donning of ranks for the newly promoted Enlisted Personnel of the Division was also conducted. Deserving promoted personnel of the different units of the division expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the promotion they received.###

8ID Beefs Up with 122 Newly Enlisted Soldiers

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar –A total of 122 newly enlisted personnel join the ranks of the 8^th Infantry Division today at 9am in a symbolic ceremony that was held at the Camp Lukban Grandstand. The highlight of the affair was the ceremonial entrustment of firearms to the soldiers by representatives from both the public and private sector notable among which is Honourable Mel Senen Sarmiento, Representative of First District of Samar. The entrustment ceremony symbolizes the critical role of civilian authority in the performance of the soldier’s duty.

In a statement made by Major General Mario Chan, chief of the Army in Eastern Visayas, the primary duty of the new soldiers is to be instruments for peace and development.

“With these reasonable force that adds to the 8ID troopers, rest assure that our people can expect more than what we are doing for the sake of peace and development in this part of the country,” General Chan says.

Likewise, Congressman Sarmiento said in his message that the soldiers of 8^th Infantry Division have continuously manifested devotion to duty and to the Constitution.

“With these soldiers, I am optimistic that our problems against insurgency will surely come to an end by doing each and every one of us their part and protecting the human rights of the people for the ultimate attainment of peace not only in Samar but also in the whole region,” says Congressman Sarmiento.

The activity was also graced by the Vice Mayor of Catbalogan Hon. Art Gabon, City Councilor Hon. Stephanie Tan-Uy, Calbayog Bishop Most Rev. Isabelo Abarquez, and Rev. Fr. Dionesio Calderon. Two civilian volunteer communications groups namely the REACT and KABALIKAT Civicom complemented the affair along relatives and friends of new soldiers.

Road project in Samar blasted with UN-banned landmines to hurt 8ID troops

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – Headquarters-bound troops who recently performed as area security in support of the ground breaking ceremony for the Gandara-Matuguinao road development project held yesterday were harassed at about 11:30 p.m. last night along the way by a communist-inspired criminal group at the vicinity of Barangay Canligues and Concepcion, both of Paranas, Samar.

Two UN-banned landmines usually employed by the communist-inspired criminal group detonated along the road that caused the death of one soldier, the wounding of six others, and damage to a portion of a currently developed road. The wounded soldiers were immediately evacuated and are now under treatment at Saint Paul’s Hospital in Tacloban City. Responding troops in the area are now making sure that the traffic along the route will not be hampered because of the incident.

The incident is an expected reaction of the communist-inspired criminal group against the efforts of the 8^th Infantry Division who has committed to support road development and other related projects in the Region at all cost. The road where the incident occurred is among the roads that the 8ID supports for development.