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Friday, August 24, 2007
Arroyo visits troops, orders hike in combat pay
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. to study the possibility of increasing the pay of soldiers involved in combat operations.
The current rate of combat pay for soldiers is P240 monthly.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Arroyo made the order in light of the professionalism and heroism displayed by the soldiers while in pursuit of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan and Sulu provinces.
Arroyo has also issued guidelines on humanitarian invasion, which seeks to dovetail development efforts with the continuing military operations in the two provinces.
Teodoro said the military's participation in the humanitarian invasion is the deployment of its engineering brigade to provide the needed heavy equipment in the implementation of infrastructure projects in conflict-affected areas.
Also, physicians from V. Luna hospital will be deployed in Basilan and Sulu provinces to take care of those who may need medical assistance.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reported that a total of 5,007 families have been displaced by the ongoing offensive against the Abu Sayyaf in the two provinces.
The President has reiterated government's commitment to the peace process and "the dialogue will continue with the concerned parties."
Government signed a peace pact with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1996 and is talking peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the remaining secessionist group in the country.
"The (peace) talks will continue once a decision has been firmed up consistent with the Constitution of the country," Teodoro said.
Arroyo personally handed over on Thursday cash assistance to the families of two of the slain soldiers - an officer and an enlisted man - who were among the casualties in the ongoing offensive against the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group in Mindanao.
Cash assistance of P100,000 was handed over by the President to the families of the late Marine Second Lieutenant Roldan Somera of Barangay San Roque, Zamboanga City, and of the late Army Private First Class Renaldo Pedroso of Busbus village, Jolo, Sulu.
Afterwards, she presided over a joint military and police command conference at Camp Don Basilio Navarro.
Somera was among 15 Marine troops slain during intense fighting with Abu Sayyaf bandits last Saturday in Sitio Kurelem, Baranga Selangkun, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan. Pedroso was one of the 10 Army soldiers slain when they were ambushed by bandits two weeks ago in the town of Maimbung, Sulu.
Lastly, he said the President has reminded the military and police forces to remain vigilant "in order to prevent or thwart attempts by those who want to derail the peace process and terrorists from exploiting the situation."
Arroyo arrived in Zamboanga City and was briefed by top officials of both military and police of the prevailing situation in the region.
After meeting with reporters, the President flew to Basilan together with top military and police officials to check the status of the offensive against the Abu Sayyaf bandits. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (August 24, 2007 issue)
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‘Abu Sayyaf’ caught in Cebu City port