Nation’s future military leaders visit Cebu

MIRIAM Libongcogon was a sophomore taking up Education in Southwestern University when she went to Manila to look for work and ended up as a househelper of a Navy official in Baguio City.

Libongcogon, 22 of barangay Singsing, Balamban town, said it was her employer who encouraged her to try her luck in the Philippine Military Academy. She passed the exam. The following year, she got admitted in the Corps of Cadets.

“I hope to graduate and be assigned at the Army,” said Libongcogon, the second of seven children of a carpenter and housewife.

She was one of six Cebuanos among the 195 PMA cadets who are visiting Cebu as part of their four-day tour in the province.

There cadets – 70 women and 125 men – arrived Friday. They’re led by Cmdr. Junjie Taboada.
The cadets performed silent drills at the Camp Lapu-Lapu Grandstand at 9:30 a.m. last Sunday and at the Abellana National High School yesterday.

“The performance was satisfying since it is our way to showcase what is taught to us and a way of thanking Cebu for accepting us,” said Cadet Ralph Andy Ranario.

Lt. Jim Alagao, Armed Forces information officer, said the Cebu visit is part of their summer program aimed at orienting them to various places to prepare them for future assignments.

The cadets arrived from Palawan and are headed for Davao.

During their silent drills, the cadets were divided into two platoons, with one group clad in white pants while the other were in gray pants.

The silent drill was accompanied by a marching band.

They later offered flowers to the spectators consisting of their parents, relatives, friends, and government officials.

The cadets are headed to Davao via the Navy’s transport ship.

Alagao said about half of class 2017 will join the Army. The rest will join the air force and the navy.

The PMA is the premier source of officers of the Philippine armed forces. / With Xavier University Development Communication Intern Kent A. Ugalde