Central Mindanao, Philippines — The Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) has sent newly graduated soldiers to its field units across Central Mindanao. The deployment aims to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for the forthcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
According to a news release by Philippines News Agency, the newly deployed soldiers will augment existing Army units in the field for the elections scheduled on October 30. The graduates, hailing from Candidate Soldier Course Classes 787 and 788-2023, as well as those cross-trained with the Infantry Orientation Course Class 04-23, received their training at the 6ID Training School in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
In his statement to the new soldiers, Rillera urged them to work with utmost commitment, enthusiasm, and professionalism. Private Mellin Belwar, a native of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, and a Reserve Officer Training Corps Officer program graduate, emerged as a standout among the 273 new soldiers.
The deployment follows a 500-man military force arriving at the camp on October 20 to reinforce security for the BSKE in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The 6ID’s area of responsibility includes the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, parts of Lanao del Sur, and 63 BARMM villages in North Cotabato on mainland Mindanao. The division also covers other areas in the Soccsksargen region, including the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and parts of North Cotabato and Sarangani.