THE military unit that rescued Indonesian nationals from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has received the cash reward promised by President Rodrigo Duterte, the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said on Monday, May 31, 2021.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Cirilito Sobejana said reward is for the entire marine unit.
“Hindi naman (extraordinary) kasi this is the prerogative of the President to recognize the effort of our soldiers and it impacts on capabiltiy enhancement. If we have soldiers with high state of morale they will be more productive, I always equate happiness into productivity, so this is for the unit, not for individual soldiers,” he said during his command visit to the 2nd Marine Brigade Headquarters in Bonga, Tawi-tawi.
He also conferred the Distinguished Navy Cross medal on Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi deputy commander Colonel Nestor Narag Jr., and the Silver Cross Medal on the Special Intelligence Team under the 2nd Marine Brigade.
On the cash reward, Sobejana said it will be up to the unit on how they are going to spend the cash reward.
“Well it’s up for the unit commander, they are responsible kung paano nila, ano disposition nila sa pera, pambili nila ng mga kagamitan na will further enhance the capability, yung hindi issued equipment na sa palagay ng unit commander mission essential,” he said.
“Pwede pa rin, morale and welfare, bili sila ng videooke para sa in between operations, pwede silang magkanta-kantahan, other things na kailangan ng unit,” Sobejana added.
The five Indonesian nationals were abducted in the vicinity of Tambisan, Malaysia. One of them died and his body was recovered in September 2020.
On March 18, 2021, three of them were rescued by the Joint Task Force Tawi-tawi during the conduct of focused military operations. The remaining hostage victim was rescued on March 21.
ASG leader Majan Sahidjuan, alias Apo Mike, and his two followers who were responsible for the abduction were killed in a follow-up operation on March 23. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)