INDANAN, Sulu -- Hundreds of members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA) graduated recently from basic and refresher military training at the 11th Division “Mastal” Training School in Barangay Tagbak.

Maj. Gen. Leonardo I. Peña, commander of the 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division and Joint Task Force Orion, led the closing ceremony for basic training classes 10 and 11, along with refresher classes 15 and 16.

Peña described the graduates as “indispensable force multipliers” who serve a dual role in military operations and building trust within local communities.

“Your discipline today becomes our collective shield tomorrow,” Peña told the graduates, urging them to maintain professionalism during patrols and community outreach. “This initiative reflects the 11th Infantry Division’s sustained push to professionalize auxiliary forces.”

The basic training program immersed participants in marksmanship, tactical maneuvers, first aid, and survival techniques. Lt. Col. Joel N. Delmendo, commandant of the training school, said the weeks of dawn-to-dusk drills were designed to prepare the auxiliaries to serve as the “eyes and ears” of security forces in remote areas.