MANILA, July 23 (PNA) — Fifty nine newly-graduated 2nd lieutenants, members of the Officers Preparatory Course (OPC) “Lakandiwa” Class 63-2014, formally joined Philippine Army (PA) ranks Thursday.
Graduation and commissioning ceremonies took place at the Officer Candidate School, Training and Doctrine Command in Camp O’ Donnell, Capas town, Tarlac, said Army spokesman Major Enrico Gil Ileto.
He added that the three of the top graduates are former enlisted personnel of the PA.
Topping the class is 2nd Lt. Marlo R. Pasion, 32, who served under the 7th Infantry Division.
The former is from Sta. Maria, Pangasinan, and graduated with a Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Pasion entered the military service on Nov. 15, 2005 after completing the Candidate Soldier Course, ranking second in the class.
He is married to a fellow soldier and they have two children.
While 2nd Lt. George O. Francisco, 26, from Sapian, Capiz, ranked second.
He was formerly assigned at the Special Operations Command.
Francisco joined the military service on April 4, 2011, and is a proud member of the Scout Rangers.
He holds a Degree in Economics.
While 2nd Lt. John Frederick F. Emia, 30, on the other hand, finished at number three.
Francisco is from Cagayan De Oro City. He joined the PA last June 1, 2011.
Before joining the Officer Corps, he was assigned at the Headquarters Support Group.
He is also a graduate of Bachelor of Arts Majoring In English.
Out of the 59 members of Officer Preparatory Course Class 63-2014, 35 (59 percent) are former soldiers from the enlisted corps.
The remaining are professionals in the fields of Agriculture, Criminology, Business Administration, Forestry, Engineering, Information Technology and Education.
Of the 59, some 54 are males and five are females.
PA chief Major Gen. Eduardo M. Año will grace the Graduation Ceremony as the guest-of-honor and speaker.
“We take pride on our enlisted personnel who have continued to show us that they are valuable members of the organization. More so, that they possess the competency to become members of the Officer Corps. Truly the Philippine Army is composed of competent and able members ready to carry out the mandate of serving the people and securing the land,” he stressed.
Fully equipped with the right training, knowledge and skills to become officers of the PA, the 59 young and dynamic individuals are now ready to start their careers as military leaders and contribute their share in the attainment of the Army’s mission.
After graduation, the new second lieutenants will report at Headquarters Philippine Army in Fort Andres Bonifacio, Metro Manila for their career orientation.
They will soon be assigned to the different units of the Philippine Army. They will beef up the Army’s personnel and operational capabilities as it continues to pursue its mandate of serving the people and securing the land. (PNA)