MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA) on Friday introduced that 13 artillery platoons have been licensed and declared as extremely succesful for howitzer operations.
PA spokesperson, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, stated this was made attainable by the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR)’s ongoing certification program.
These 13 artillery platoons are primarily based within the Zamboanga Peninsula and the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.
“A total of 13 firing platoons from the 1st Field Artillery Battalion and the 8th Field Artillery Battalion have passed the certification standards and have been declared highly-capable howitzer platoons for performing artillery operations as of February 15, 2023, according to the regiment. The certification is a vital step towards enhancing the combat readiness of artillery units, ensuring that they are highly proficient in performing their duties,” Trinidad stated in a press release.
He added the AAR certification committees are conducting on-site proficiency assessments for artillery models in these provinces.
“The certification process is being conducted in two phases with the first phase focusing on evaluating the individual skills of personnel and the second phase on evaluating the collective performance of personnel as a firing section and firing platoon,” Trinidad stated.
Honoring Hunters-ROTC Guerrillas
Meanwhile, the PA unveiled a monument in honor of the Hunters-Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Guerrillas through the 78th-anniversary commemoration of the retaking of Fort Bonifacio (then referred to as Fort McKinley) on Thursday.
The bronze sculpture of a Hunters-ROTC rifleman depicts the Philippine Military Academy and ROTC cadets who bravely fought and defended the nation from overseas invaders.
The sculpture stands on a defensive stance atop a 1.8-meter-high granite pedestal.
The sculpture’s pedestal has a dedication for the Hunters-ROTC Guerrillas who liberated the then-Fort McKinley from Japanese Imperial forces.
Trinidad stated the sculpture options the unique brand of the Hunters-ROTC Guerrillas who got here from the cadet corps of the Philippine Military Academy and the Reserve Officers Training Corps of the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila, La Salle College, Far Eastern University, Jose Rizal College, Mapua Institute of Technology, Letran College, Philippine School of Arts and Trade, and San Beda College.
These younger males fashioned the Hunters-ROTC Guerrillas, banding collectively to repel Japanese invaders through the Battle of Nichols Airfield and Fort McKinley in February 1945. (PNA)