The cheque containing P73 million for the said purpose from the Presidential Social Fund would be given to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Monday, a report from the Army's 303rd Infantry Brigade here in Murcia, Negros Occidental said.
On the other hand, Colonel Honorato de los Reyes, commanding officer of the 303rd IB, said that amid talks of military uprising in Manila, still the Negros soldiers are intact and are still behind the present Arroyo administration.
"All accounted for," de los Reyes said of his men.
He said he's happy to hear the news about combat pay hike saying, "This is a sort of moral booster for his men."
In Manila, the combat pay hike was alleged to be an equalizer of the controversial P120 million in bribes allegedly paid by officials to block a new impeachment bid against Arroyo.
But President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already ordered an investigation into the alleged bribes.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon told his men to stay focused, concentrate on the mission and how to accomplish that mission.
He also warned the soldiers not to entertain any rumor. (EASD/With AP)
