ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A Capiceño ranked second among the 96 candidate soldiers who graduated in the six-month training of the Division Training Unit of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division from Dec. 2, 2011 to May 16, 2012.

Public Affairs Office Chief Enrico Gil Ileto of the 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army, disclosed that Benjie Artuz of Barangay Agdahon, Cuartero, Capiz graduated number two among the brightest candidate soldiers of the Candidate Soldier Course Class 291-2011.

Artuz, Ileto said, is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Criminology and a board passer.

He was a recipient of the Chief of Staff 3ID Award.

Meanwhile, Marc Henri Fermin, a registered nurse from Barangay Look, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, who opted to join the army, received the Commander 3rd Infantry Division Award for topping the class.

Kenneth Edmun Hilongos from Poblacion 1, Purok Datu Kaka, Cotabato City, a graduate of Associate in Computer Science, received the Commandant 3rd Division Training Unit Award for graduating number three.

Johnry Bryan Villafuerte from Brgy. Managupaya, Banate, Iloilo, received the Physical Proficiency Award for obtaining the highest rating in Physical Fitness Test.

The training, Ileto said, is part of the army's transformation process for hiring more credible, efficient, reliant and responsive members that can truly be a source of national pride for all Filipinos.

"In the series of training that the Philippine Army are conducting, more professionals were noted to have been joining the ranks as part of its effort to recruit and retain the best and the brightest in the organization," he stressed.

On the other hand, 3ID Commanding General Jose Z. Mabanta Jr., who welcomed the new soldiers to the Spearhead family, reminded them of their responsibilities as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Mabanta urged the new soldiers to continue to actively participate in the nation building by focusing on the prime objective of being protectors of the people and the State.

"We should continue improve our capabilities to best address the challenges that come across in our peace building effort under the AFP's Internal Peace and Security Plan –Bayanihan," Mabanta stressed, urging them to be more consistent with the nation and people-centered approach by ensuring adherence to human rights, international humanitarian law, and the rule of law.*PIA