By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening support for soldiers and for lasting peace and order in Mindanao, Malacañang said Friday.
“Bilang pagpapahalaga sa ating kasundaluhan, patuloy na ipinamamalas ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang mas matatag na suporta sa mga sundalo sa Mindanao,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
Marcos visited the Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) at Camp Panacan in Davao City on Thursday, following the inspection of the Bucana Bridge.
Castro said the President, during his talk to the troops of EASTMINCOM, announced the increase in the base pay for all military and uniformed personnel (MUP) as well as the higher daily subsistence allowance.
He also vowed to continue providing necessary equipment and training to government troops to bolster their operational capabilities.
EASTMINCOM officials likewise reported to the Commander-in-Chief the peace and order situation in the region, including its anti-insurgency efforts, as well as maritime patrol and disaster response operations.
“Ang pagbisita ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. sa mga sundalo sa Mindanao ay patunay lamang na nananatiling prayoridad ng administrasyon ang kapakanan, seguridad, at magandang pamumuhay ng ating kasundaluhan,” Castro said.
“Sinisiguro ng Pangulo na hinding-hindi pababayaan ng pamahalaan ang Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas,” she added.
The Palace also stressed that Marcos’ recent visits to troops and announcement of benefits to MUP are not connected to the alleged calls for the military to withdraw support from the administration.
“Ang pagbisita sa ating mga kasundaluhan, sa mga uniformed personnel, ay nararapat lamang po bilang Commander-in-Chief. Wala po ‘tong kinalaman kung mayroon mang isyu ngayon, obligasyon po ng Pangulo na bisitahin sila,” Castro said.
“Ang pagkilala po sa mga kasundaluhan natin, hindi po ito nababatay kung ano po ang nangyayaring ingay ngayon—mga political noise… Sa mga ganiyang usapin, mga negatibong pinupukol sa Pangulo, hindi po ito magpapatigil sa Pangulo para bigyan ng tulong ating kasundaluhan,” the Palace Press Officer added.
-jpv
