THE 10TH Infantry Division has officially infused its ranks with 135 newly enlisted privates, deploying a highly trained batch of soldiers capable of close-quarters urban warfare and hostage rescue to bolster its regional security operations.
The graduates of the Operations Orientation Course Class 02-2026 officially completed their training during a closing ceremony on Saturday, July 4, at the 10th Division Training School in Barangay Tuboran, Mawab.
The newly minted soldiers—consisting of 122 men and 13 women—put their lethal capabilities on full display during a gritty, live-action demonstration immediately following the graduation.
The culmination of the grueling course showcased the recruits’ readiness to handle high-stakes tactical environments.
Observers and military officials witnessed a multi-layered capability demonstration that highlighted both traditional and modern combat techniques:
- Hand-to-Hand Lethality: Mastery of indigenous Filipino martial arts, specifically Arnis and Pekiti-Tirsia Kali, emphasizing edge-weapon and impact-weapon close combat.
- Close-Quarter Battle (CQB): Tactical vehicle infiltrations, high-speed movement formations, and explosive wall-assault techniques.
- Hostage Rescue Operations: Precision room-clearing maneuvers and hostage retrieval scenarios executed under simulated combat stress.
The ceremony was attended by Colonel Ronaldo Valdez, Deputy Brigade Commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, who served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.
The deployment comes at a strategic transition point for the Agila Division. With its area of operations already successfully cleared of domestic insurgency, the division is pivoting toward modern territorial defense while holding onto its hard-won internal peace.
Major General Alvin Luzon, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, challenged the new privates to bring the highest level of professionalism as they fracture out into various subordinate units.
“This training is the foundation of your profession as soldiers and has prepared you for the demands of military service,” Luzon stated. “As you join our operational units, uphold the highest standards of discipline… as you fulfill your duty of protecting the people and preserving the peace we have worked hard to achieve.”
The 135 new privates will immediately integrate into operational units across the region, directly strengthening the division’s external security readiness and defensive sovereignty capabilities.
