By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. challenged the country’s newest Philippine Army officers to uphold their oath of service with integrity and unwavering commitment, emphasizing that safeguarding the nation remains a solemn responsibility entrusted to every soldier.
Representing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is currently on an official visit to Canada, Teodoro served as guest of honor during the joint graduation ceremony of the Officer Candidate Course (OCC) “Gundaway” Class 64-2026 and the OCC-Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) “Talagilab” Class 03-2026 at the Philippine Army’s Officer Candidate School in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.
A total of 552 newly commissioned officers completed the two training programs, with 362 graduates from the regular Officer Candidate Course and 190 graduates from the OCC-ROTC program.
In his address, Teodoro conveyed President Marcos’ congratulations and commended the graduates for overcoming the demanding challenges of military training in preparation for leadership responsibilities within the Armed Forces.
The Defense chief said the perseverance demonstrated by the graduates reflects the dedication required of military officers entrusted with protecting the country’s sovereignty and democratic institutions.
He described military service as more than a profession, stressing that it is a noble calling requiring discipline, sacrifice and an unwavering commitment to the Filipino people.
Teodoro also emphasized that the government continues to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities to build a credible deterrence posture capable of addressing both internal security concerns and emerging external threats.
According to him, the commitment and resilience shown by the new officers will play a vital role in ensuring that future generations inherit a peaceful and secure nation.
He likewise underscored the continuing importance of the Philippine Army in preserving domestic peace and stability, noting that a strong internal security environment is essential to sustaining the country’s broader external defense strategy.
Drawing inspiration from the heroism of Filipino soldiers who served during the Korean War, including Capt. Conrado Yap and Lt. Jose Arciaga, Teodoro encouraged the graduates to emulate the courage, patriotism and selfless service displayed by the country’s military heroes.
Meanwhile, Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete said the Army has modernized its training programs to prepare future officers for the increasingly complex challenges of contemporary warfare.
He explained that the updated curriculum is designed to produce officers who are adaptable and professionally capable of responding effectively to rapidly evolving security threats.
During the ceremony, Probationary Second Lieutenant Fernando M. Abanag Jr., top graduate of OCC “Gundaway” Class 64-2026, and Probationary Second Lieutenant Gilnove R. Olmedo, top graduate of OCC-ROTC “Talagilab” Class 03-2026, received the prestigious Presidential Sabers in recognition of their outstanding academic and leadership performance.
The Officer Candidate Course is a one-year commissioning program for qualified college graduates seeking careers in the Regular Force of the Philippine Army, while the OCC-ROTC is a six-month course that prepares qualified reserve officers for commissions in the Army.
ia/xf
