8ID welcomes the third wave of candidate soldiers

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar – Another 200 young blooded applicants for the prestigious candidates soldier course were warmly welcomed by the Army’s 8th Infantry Division through a traditional opening ceremony followed by a military reception at Camp Downes, Ormoc City, around 10:30 A.M., yesterday.

The newly opened batch of candidates is part of the 600 quota allocated by the Philippine Army to 8ID to complement both operational and administrative requirements of the command in terms of personnel matters.

It can be recalled that 200 candidates on the first batch were opened last May 12 and is still undergoing their basic military training at Camp Lukban in Catbalogan City while another 150 candidates were opened last June 16 and now in Camp Daza, Hinabangan, Samar also for their basic training.

This new batch will undergo their basic training in Camp Downes, Ormoc until they graduate.

Just like in previous opening, the ceremony was also graced by the 8ID’s Chief, Major General Arthur Tabaquero as speaker.

He reiterated to the new batch of candidates the same reminder he gave to the first two batches.

He told the candidate soldiers that taking an oath means being separated from their families that they have to overcome it as they overcome the tough and rigid training.

“As your training goes on, you will be honed and developed into disciplined, determined, courageous, mentally sharpened and loyal soldiers of our nation”, General Tabaquero includes.

“May you value the opportunity of being one of the chosen out of the thousands who keep on dreaming to join the ranks of the living heroes”, the good general adds.

"Rest assured that you will be trained professionally by our professional trainers and instructors to the best of their capabilities", vowed Tabaquero.

Despite of distance from Camp Lukban, the top military officials and enlisted personnel of the command went over to Ormoc to support the incoming soldiers of the region.

The trainees will undergo 13 weeks of rigid military training before they undergo the 45- day Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operation Course (JWMOC) as their specialization phase. ### AFR/JGM

63IB celebrates the 112th Philippine Independence Day differently

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City – While the whole Philippines was commemorating the Philippine Independence, the Army’s 63rd Infantry Battalion celebrated June 12 by staging a seemingly different but considered very worthy activities.

Report reaching to this office from First Lieutenant Josephus Emar Rempillo, CMO officer of 63IB disclosed that in the morning of said date, some fifty seven (57) clienteles of Army Literacy Patrol System (ALPS) cum livelihood of BINHI Foundation in Las Navas town received certificates after satisfactorily completed the designed training conducted by the said battalion.

Clienteles were all parents of BINHI Children’s Assistance Center of World of Hope Foundation, a non-government non-profit organization that aims to help the oppressed.

On the other hand, gifts were given by 63IB to the ALPS clienteles’ children during the battalion’s gift giving activity.

Accordingly, they have chosen the children of their clienteles as the recipients of their gift-giving activity in order to lessen their parent’s expenses for the coming opening of the class.

“The soldiers will continue to carry out these programs (ALPS and Gift-giving) within my area of jurisdiction in order to assist our people to nurture and develop their skills as well as increase their income to support their daily needs”, vows Lieutenant Colonel Joel M Paloma, the commanding officer of the 63IB.

Meanwhile, Major General Arthur I Tabaquero, head of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division conveyed his heartfelt gratitude with these contributions.

“While we commemorate our independence that our forefathers died for about more than a century ago, let’s continue to pay attention to our people who needs our quite concern”, General Tabaquero said.

“The 8th Infantry Division up to its lowest units had been joining in different Brigada Eskwela and other similar activities just to show concern to our people, even with these simple things”, he added.

In conclusion, General Tabaquero said that working as a “Team” will make individuals to achieve more. ### AFR/JGM

8ID actively supports Brigada Eskwela 2010

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar – The Army’s 8th Infantry Division actively supported the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela 2010 last June 10-11, 6 A.M in the different areas of Catbalogan City.

8ID was just one of the numerous government and non-government agencies who regularly join the said endeavor in welcoming the opening of the school year.

This activity further aims to show up with the public the coordinated efforts and partnership of all stakeholders and giving value to education even with this little things.

Local government units, local businesses, civic groups, NGO’s, private individuals, religious sectors, students, teachers and parents also worked hand-in-hand in preparing school’s classrooms for the comfort of the incoming students.

Minor repairs, repainting and cleaning the areas were just few among the activites of Brigada Eskwela wherein some public elementary schools such as Catbalogan National Comprehensive High School, Brgy Mercedes, Guinsirongan, Catbalogan V Central and Catbalogan IV Central elementary schools were benefited.

Meanwhile, other units under 8ID were already conducting and participating in similar activities in their areas of operations.

The 14th Infantry Battalion joined the Brigada Eskwela last week the at Dolores National High School, Dao Integrated School, Maslog Primary School, Parina Elem. School, Brgy. Parina Giporlos, San Miguel Elem. School, San Miguel Hernani E .Samar.

The 52nd Infantry Battalion (CAFGU) also extended similar support at Bitaog Elem School, Brgy Agsam Oras E. Samar and Samar State University of Catbalogan City.

The 78th Infantry Battalion was also very much active in their area of operation wherein they launched their Brigada Eskwela support immediately after the national and local automated election.

In his statement, Major General Arthur Tabaquero, 8ID’s chief said that the overall activity was very successful thus he extends his heartfelt thanks for the support shared and extended by other participating agencies, organizations and individuals.

“This activity demonstrates no small amount to the eyes of our people, particularly to our students who will bridge change and success in the future. This will remarkably leave a very sentimental value that will continue to inspire them until they mature.”

He further said that 8ID will continue to support any worthy programs of any agency in aid of promoting the value and effect of oneness and togetherness in security and nation-building. (Lady Faye)

8ID awards a total of P110 thousand to former rebels

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar – Through the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, three (3) former members of the terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) were became the newest beneficiaries of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process’s (OPAPP) Social Integration Program (SIP) in Eastern Visayas.

No less than the 8ID’s head, Major General Arthur Tabaquero handed over the facsimile checks to the beneficiaries during the command’s flag raising ceremony, 8:00 A.M., Monday, 31 May.



Angelito Remojo alias Gino/Dokdok in the underground movement and a former member of Pingkoy Platoon and Gerald Perez known as alias Kino when he was in Mt. Amendawin Command, received fifty thousand pesos (P50, 000.00) each for surrendering an M16A1 rifle with magazines and live munitions and for negotiating to the surrender of Reynaldo Batan alias Jerry of Front Operation Command (FOC) of Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), respectively.

A ten thousand peso (10, 000.00) check was also given to Francisco Terano of Consuegra, Leyte, Leyte for yielding his US rifle M2 carbine.

Meanwhile, Virginia Lasaca who supposed to receive one thousand pesos (1, 000.00) was not able to appear since she is already based in Manila.

It can be recalled that sometime in March this year, Mr. Filomeno Somera Jr., OPAPP Region 8 coordinator also awarded twenty thousand pesos (P20, 000.00) each to almost 20 former rebels who came from Northern and Eastern Samar, as initial financial assistance while their papers are still being validated for some further reward.

In his message, Major General Tabaquero said that the money received by the former rebels is more than a thing that can be used to buy their needs. It is accordingly a symbol of their new life and total aback against the sour experiences that brought to them by the long deprived democratic system.

He also conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the former rebels for adhering to the call of peace.

In his concluding remarks, General Tabaquero once again called upon the brothers and sisters whom he considered as victims of deceptive mode of the communist terrorists to make the event as an inspiration to lay down their arms, and return to the main stream society for a genuine peace and democracy.

19IB feats over NPA rebels killing one and recovering firearm

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar – The Army’s 19^th Infantry Battalion prevailed over the attempted aggression of the terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) while they are conducting a routine security patrol in the outskirts of Brgy. Tinaguban, Carigara, Leyte early morning yesterday, May 22.

Report reaching to this office disclosed that around 4:00 in the morning, elements of 19IB under First Lieutenant Malinche Tomarong were conducting a usual patrol in the vicinity when some members of armed terrorist sprayed them with fires.

Though encountering limited visibility, the troops managed to return fire and made necessary action against their foes.

Exchange of fires lasted for almost five (5) minutes before the terrorist fled, carrying with them their wounded comrades.

As a result, one (1) NPA was killed; an M14 rifle and back pack filled with personal belongings and subversive documents were also recovered by the troops upon clearing in the encounter site.

No reported hurt in the side of the government forces.

Major General Arthur Tabaquero immediately lauded the troops for the successful security operations.

“As I’ve said in the past, while we continue to perform our mandated task of preserving peace and stability in the province, we call to our people to continuously give their usual support in the restoration of peace stability for the ultimate attainment of development of the whole province”.

8ID launches “Operation Baklas-Poster” for HOPE

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar – After the successful first ever automated election in the country has concluded, the Army’s 8^th Infantry Division immediately launched an operation to clean up the mess left out by the election.

It can be noticed that the campaign paraphernalia and posters that served as memoirs in the wrapped up election remained to be dominating in the streets, posts and parks which almost cover the whole community.

The 8ID’s “Operation Baklas Poster” is the immediate response of the soldiers in Eastern Visayas to restore the image of our communities.

After serving their duties to assure honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE), the Army marched forward to serve for another “HOPE”, but this time for healthy, orderly and pollution free environment.

Using their available time during break from their hectic command activities and workloads, the campaign has kicked-off Friday afternoon in the immediate vicinity of the Camp Lukban.

One battalion composed of different personnel from different offices was dedicated to the said undertaking in order to assure the fast restoration of the city’s face.

Yesterday morning, 8ID troopers resumed their operation “baklas” to clean up mess from Brgy Mercedez down to the city proper.

Mercedez’ Brgy Chair Justito Uy even led his constituents to assist when he saw soldiers cleaning up his barangay.

This morning, the troopers cleared up messes from Brgy. Soccoro of Catbalogan down to the municipality of Motiong.

In his statement, Major General Arthur Tabaquero, 8ID’s head highlighted the social responsibilities of the soldiers not only as warriors, but a true, responsible and environment lover Filipino citizen.

“The 8ID will continue to support any programs to assist different government and non-government agencies, particularly in security and nation-building”, vowed General Tabaquero.

Meanwhile, the operation “baklas” poster for HOPE is simultaneously conducted by the AFP down to its lowest units as part of the Army’s Concern for Environment (ACE). ### (AFR/JGM/jby)

8ID opens training for 250 candidate soldiers

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar – 250 young and willing candidates for soldier course were received by the Army’s 8^th Infantry Division through a simple opening ceremony held at the command’s hollow ground, 9:00 A.M., Wednesday.

Traditional military reception took place after the opening ceremony where candidates underwent series of military exercises as introduction of the exercises they will perform as frequent as possible during their training phases to develop their physical stamina.

The simple ceremony was graced by the 8ID’s head, Major General Arthur Tabaquero as speaker.

In his message, Major General Tabaquero reminded the candidate soldiers that aside from having a tough and rigid training, they will be separated from their families.

General Tabaquero also vowed that the trainees will be honed and developed into disciplined, determined, courageous, mentally sharpened and loyal soldiers after the training.

He also encouraged them to value the opportunity of being one of the chosen out of the thousands who keep on dreaming to join the ranks of the living heroes.

Meanwhile, General Tabaquero also reminded the members of the training directorate who will handle the training.

“To the training Committee, I encouraged you to conduct the training professionally so that we can produce disciplined, committed and well-equipped soldiers after the training” the good general says.

The ceremony were also witnessed by all officers, enlisted personnel, civilian employees, parents and other wait-listed applicants of candidate soldier course.

The newly opened course is the first batch among the three batches of soldier course for calendar year 2010.

Two (2) more batches are expected to convene two (2) to three (3) weeks from press time that will fulfill the 600 quota of recruit for the 8ID alone for the calendar year 2010. ### AFR/JGM