Manila, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte guarantee that he will prioritize the security and protection of the military. During his visit at the Medical Center of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) along V. Luna Road in Quezon City, he told the military that he will take care of them in their six-year term. He told one of the patients in assurance and comforted the patients wounded in the ambush that he will take care of them.
The President spent almost five hours of interacting together with the 69 wounded soldier at the country’s premier military medical facility. He tries to ease their pain by sharing some jokes. Some of the soldiers tried to move from their bed as they can to give a salute for the commander-in-chief and many of them hugged the president and some of them cried. The President inspired them by the announcement of the administration’s program for a wide range medical, health, social services, and educational benefits.
President Duterete stressed that he don’t want to compromise the lives of the soldiers. He then said that he will make sure that the health and medical attention will be given on time. Before leaving them, Duterete invites the patients to have dinner in Malacanang in the coming days. He then met with 500 officers and non-commissioned officers of the hospital to announce that he already assigned P500 million for constructing new hospital buildings, medical facilities and to purchase new state-of-the-art medical equipment.
He then strongly advised them regarding on the participation in illegal activities and corruptions such as bid rigging. The President denounced the implementation of government in bidding process which he quoted that is open to corruption. The senior officials of the AFP were directed to form a committee for facilitating the release of the benefits of pension and retirement of soldiers. He also announces the approval of recruiting 10,000 additional soldiers.