President Duterte Vows Hike on Soldiers’ Pay

Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday vowed to increase the salaries of members of the military effective next month.

The President announced this as he spoke before some 500 military troops at the covered court here.

The Chief Executive said that he already asked Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to look for a way on how to increase the soldiers’ pay just like the police.

“Starting next month, incremental increase sweldo ninyo. Pangako kong doblado, you will get it,” he said.

Aside from the salary hike, the President also promised to provide the soldiers additional firearms.

He told soldiers that his administration will provide everything they need to fulfill their mandate.

Meanwhile, President Duterte likewise discussed some issues which he mentioned during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday that include the declaration of the unilateral ceasefire with the communist groups, and about the West Philippine Sea.

With regards to the unilateral ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), the Chief Executive told the military troops that it was not his decision alone but the Cabinet as whole.

He told soldiers he was on a peace mission with the CPP-NPA-NDF, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) .

However, he wanted to hear from MILF and MNLF that they did not have connections with the bandit group Abu Sayyaf.

The President told the soldiers that as a septuagenarian, he dreams of lasting peace for Mindanao and the entire country.

On the issue of the West Philippine Sea, the President told soldiers that it was a delicate matter and must be treated with utmost caution so as not to offend both parties.

Before meeting the soldiers, the President attended a command conference with the officials of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Army Artillery Regiment, Combat Arms School (CAS), Training and Doctrines Command (TraDoc), and Army Aviation Battalion. (PNA) RMA/ZST/MEG/PS