Daughter of Mt. Province graduates PH Army's Officer Candidate Course

Photo Courtesy || Miss Bhea Jeem Docyogen

Cordilleran - GMA's online newscaster Miss Bhea Jeem Docyogen joins the Philippine army as a second Lieutenant.

2LT Docyogen who hails from Mountain Province was among the 229 new graduates of the Officer Candidate Course (OCC) Class 56 "Ikarigatak" 2022.

She used to work as an online newscaster of GMA's news segment 'Stand For Truth' before joining the Philippine army.

The OCC is a one-year course that hones individuals to become mentally, physically, and emotionally trained future leaders of the Philippine Army.

READ ALSO: Igorot from Mt. Province is TOP 3 in Officer Candidate Course 56-2022

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Cordilleran from Baguio tops PH Army Officer Candidate Course 56-2022

Photo Courtesy || PH Military

Cordillera - A Cordilleran from Baguio city emerged as the "best among the best' of the "Ikarigatak" Officer Candidate Course Class (OCC) 56-2022.

2nd Lieutenant Jerald Garcia graduated Top 1 in the OCC on October 20, 2022 held at the Philippine Army Officer Candidate School (PAOCS) in Capas, Tarlac.

2LT Garcia received the Secretary of National Defense Saber for graduating at the top of his class; the Commander TRADOC Leadership Saber for leadership excellence, and the Chief of Staff TRADOC Physical Proficiency Award for being the strongest cadet in the Physical Fitness Test.

Two hundred twenty nine (229) members of the Officer Candidate Course Class 56-2022 culminated the 1-year pre-entry course for Army officers during the graduation ceremony.

Senior USEC Jose C. Faustino, the Officer in Charge of the Department of National Defense, graced the occasion as Speaker and Guest of Honor.

In his speech, Faustino admonished the new lieutenants to pursue excellence in the military service by continuously learning from others.

“You must be humble and patient. Always take the opportunity to learn from your troops,” he said.

Faustino noted that rookie officers need to get ready for the many obstacles they would encounter in their career.

“Be ready for the challenges ahead because you will never know yourself and the strength of your character until you have been tested by adversity.” he added.

The Officer Candidate Course is a one year pre-entry training for those who qualify for commissionship in the regular force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The military course includes a module on Warfighting, Troop Leading Procedures, and Leadership Development.

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Igorot boxer Carl James Martin now a reservist of the Philippine Army

Photo Courtesy || Carl Jammes Martin & Glory Balegan PTV News

Cordillera - Undefeated Cordilleran boxer from Ifugao, Carl Jammes "Wonder Boy" Martin is now part of the Philippine Army as a reservist. 

In a photo posted by Martin himself in his official Facebook account, he and other trainees are seen with their army uniform.

He now joins the 790,000 standby and ready reserves who provide development support and security operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, especially in humanitarian assistance and disaster response. 

Martin is the current GAB super bantamweight title holder since December 2021 and the WBA Asia super bantamweight title holder since March 2022.

His professional record showed 19 fights in his boxing career with 16 wins coming by TKO and 3 wins by decision.

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LOOK: PH most advance attack helicopter landed in Cordillera

Photo Courtesy || Pinoy Aviators

Cordillera - Two of the the newly acquired and most advance attack helicopter of the Philippine Army, the TAI/Agusta Westland T129 ATAK helicopters had been deployed at the Loakan Airport in Baguio City for the PMA cadets to personally witness and do some walk around of the helicopters. 

Also deployed were the Sikorsky S-70i Blackhawk twin-engine medium lift combat utility helicopter and the Sikorsky S-76 Air Ambulance twin-engine helicopter.

The T129 is a twin-engine, tandem-seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform and further developed in Turkey, which is designed for advanced attack and reconnaissance missions in hot, high environments and adverse geographical conditions, both day and night.

The T129 ATAK is equipped with a 20 mm three-barrel rotary cannon in a nose turret with 500 ammunitions capacity and up to 76 unguided 70mm rockets for close air support. The helicopter is also equipped with up to 8 UMTAS 160 mm long range anti-tank missiles, 16 CIRIT 70 mm missiles, 8 air launched Stinger short range air-to-air missiles.

The T129 ATAK helicopter also equipped with advanced electronic warfare and countermeasure systems which increase survival capability in the battlefield. The electronic warfare and countermeasure systems of the helicopter features Radar Warning Receiver System (RIAS), Radar Frequency Mixer System (RFKS) and Laser Receiver System (LIAS) in addition to Warning System (FIS), Countermeasure Firing System (KTAS), IR (Infrared), and Countermeasure System.

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Philippines to acquire its first BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile from India

Photo Courtesy || Mike1979 Russia/Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0

Philippines - The Philippine government is finalizing a deal with the Indian government for the acquisition of BrahMos shore-based anti-ship cruise missile system. 

The deals comes after the country's budget department released initial funds worth nearly P5 billion for the acquisition of anti-ship missile system and other military equipment.

The Philippine military will be the first foreign nation to buy India's BrahMos to bolster its defense capability. 

The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile features network-centric architecture, multiple trajectories, and way-point capability that allow the weapon to engage land and naval targets beyond the horizon, according to the defensepost website.

It is equipped with a solid-propellant booster that provides the system with initial acceleration and a liquid-fueled ramjet system that enables a speed of Mach 3.

Additionally, the weapon system’s air-breathing ramjet propulsion technology provides the BrahMos with a longer range than missiles powered by rocket propulsion.

The ship and land-based BrahMos missiles carry a semi-armor-piercing warhead weighing 200 kilograms (440 pounds), while the aerial variant can carry a 300-kilogram (661-pound) warhead. They can intercept surface targets at a minimum altitude of 10 meters (32 feet).

The weapon can launch from ships, mobile launchers, submarines, and even military aircraft. It can also be used for coastal defense and ground attack.

source || inquirer.global & thedefensepost.com

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Cordilleran MGen. Henry M. Doyaoen is the 2nd in command of the Philippine Army

Photo Courtesy || Philippine Army & Kalinga Journal

Cordillera - The Philippine Army has installed Maj. Gen. Henry M. Doyaoen as its 33rd Vice Commander in a ceremony today, November 29, 2021, at Headquarters Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Outgoing Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Robert C. Dauz relinquished his post to Maj. Gen. Doyaoen in a Change of Chief of Office Ceremony presided by the Commanding General Philippine Army and concurrent Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Andres C. Centino.

Maj. Gen. Doyaoen is a well-rounded General of the AFP. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal,” Class of 1988. Before his new assignment, he served as the AFP Internal Auditor. 

He also held various leadership roles in the Philippine Army units and Unified Command, such as Deputy Commander of Northern Luzon Command, Commander of the 503rd Infantry Brigade, and Chief of the Morale and Welfare Division of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, AFP.

Doyaoen was recognized for his meritorious performance of duty during his nearly two-year stint as lead soldier in countering insurgency in the Cordillera region.

Among his accomplishments are the dismantling and downgrading of guerilla fronts including KLG Marco and KLG Ifugao, and the neutralization of dozens of members of communist terror groups and high value individuals. 

He also played a big role in the resolution of the conflicts between the Tongrayan and Tulgao tribes, and between the Butbut tribe and Betwagan tribe of Sadanga, Mt. Province. 

Brig. Gen. Doyaoen actively promoted the role of the youth in nation building. He organized the Cordillera Youth Brigade which conducted several outreach activities like the distribution of masks to frontliners and relief donations to victims of typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. 

As chair of the security component of the joint evaluation and monitoring committee on the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA), he recommended the data basing of the group’s members and the approval of its road map. 

source || Philippine Army & Kalinga Journal

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Pres. Duterte named Maj. Gen. Brawner Jr. as new Commanding General of the Philippine Army

Photo Courtesy || abc.net.au

Cordillera - A proud Cordilleran general and a Marawi siege veteran Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. has been installed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the new Commanding General of the Philippine Army. 

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Maj. Gen Brawner.

Brawner will replace Maj. Gen. Andres Centeno, who assumed command of the Philippine Army on May 2021. 

MGen. Brawner, who traces his roots to Kiangan, Ifugao is the son of the late and former Baguio and La Trinidad Regional Trial Court Judge and Commission on Election Commissioner, Justice Romeo Brawner Sr.

READ ALSO: Igorota is Class Commander in Basic Helicopter Pilot Training (BHPT) Class 2020 of PNP-SAF

Brawner is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA)  "MAKATAO" Class of 1989. 

He finished his elementary and secondary education at the Special Education Center and University of the Philippines (UP) College Baguio High School.

READ ALSO:  First Igorota graduate of Canada's Royal Military College promoted to higher rank.

In 2013, he was awarded as one of the country's Most Outstanding Filipino soldier.  

He also served as the Commandant of Cadets of the Philippine Military Academy, Commander of the 103rd Brigade during the liberation of Marawi City, and served as the Chief of AFP Public Affairs Office.

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Igorot Army from Benguet recognized as Best Junior Staff in Mindanao

Photo Courtesy || Felinger Catao

Cordillera - A proud Igorot army officer has been recognized as the Best Junior Officer of the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army during the celebration of its Founding Anniversary on 7th September 2021.

1st Lieutenant Felinger B. Catao who traces his roots to Bokod, Benguet served as a Triad Officer of the 39th Infantry Battalion in Makilala, North Cotabato.

According to LtCol. Ezra Balagtey, commanding officer of the 39th IB of the Philippine Army, 1st Lt. Catao was instrumental in conceptualizing and executing peace and development initiatives that resulted in the improvement of peace and security in his battalion.

Catao is a graduate of Benguet State University - Bokod Campus with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Technology.

He applied as a Reserved Officer Training Corps and called to active duty in the Philippine Army Regular Force in 2014. 

He then took the Officer Preparatory Course of the PA's Officer Candidate School in Camp O' Donnel in Tarlac City and later became a Platoon Leader in Mindanao.

His culture-based and sensitive approached to insurgency during his stint as the Company Commander of Charlie Company of 39th IB in 2017 has been instrument in reversing the peaking insurgency trend in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

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Three Cordillerans graduated from Officer Candidate Course (OCC) “Baghawian” Class 54-2020

Photo Courtesy || Philippine Army

Cordillera - Three (3) Cordillerans graduated from Officer Candidate Course (OCC) “Baghawian” Class 54-2020 on December 22, 2020 at the Officer Candidate School, Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac and they are:

1. P2LT Chariser Mari Macasing PA – Balbalan, Kalinga

2. P2LT Paul Anthony G Gavino PA – Tabuk City, Kalinga

3. P2LT Melvin B Pocdihon PA – Baguio City, Benguet

READ ALSO: Proud iKalinga is Top 2 in Officer Candidate Course (OCC) “Baghawian” Class 54-2020

P2LT Chariser Mari Macasing PA graduated with flying colors. She received the Heneral Antonio Luna Kampilan ng Kahusayan for graduating as the Top 2 with a general average of 92.12% in a class of 153 Officer Candidates. She also received the Plake ng Lakas ng Lahing Kayumangi for obtaining the highest rating in Physical Fitness Test (PFT) with a general average of 97.70%. The PFT is a tool to measure the Officer Candidates strength in push-up, sit-up and 3.2-kilometer run. Indeed, she showed that in a profession dominated by men, a woman can be the number 1.

The OCC is a one-year course that hones individuals to become mentally, physically, and emotionally trained future leaders of the Philippine Army. These individuals were among the many aspirants who applied but only the cream of the crop were recruited to undergo the OCC. Upon completion of the course, the graduates will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the Philippine Army.

The Commanding General, Philippine Army, Lt. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana PA graced the graduation as the Guest of Honor and Speaker. There were 153 Baghawian members comprised of licensed and registered professionals from different educational profiles and ethnic groups, 117 were males and 36 were females.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the graduation ceremony is not allowed to be attended by the public and was only witnessed via live streaming.

“Baghawian” stands for Brave Army of God Heroes with Audacity Wisdom and Integrity in Achieving National Pride.

source || Philippine Army

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Igorot captain leads successful rescue of couple kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf

Photo Courtesy || Ricofake Tagure FB

Cordillera - Philippine troops led by an Igorot captain rescued a British man and his Filipino wife who were abducted last month in the  southern beach resort  by the Abu Sayaf. 

Troops of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion of the Philippine Army headed by Igorot Cpt. Rico Tagure successfully freed the couple Allan Hyrons and his wife from the hand of the kidnappers, according to PTV.

Netizens praised the bravery of the troops after an intense 10-minute gun battle with members of the armed group.

According to Lt Gen Cirilito Sobejana, regional military commander, the troops were caught up with the Abu Sayyaf captors in the mountainous hinterlands of Parang town in Sulu province and the gun battle erupted.

"There was a running gun battle," Sobejena said. "They left the two behind because they could not drag them anymore. They scampered in different directions but our troops are in pursuit."

The freed hostages were not hurt in the exchange of fire and no ransom had been paid to the group, according to the military. 

A photo released by the military shows the couple smiling inside a military camp with the group of generals and army officers.

The British embassy thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a job well done in rescuing Allan Hyrons and his wife. 

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