PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has given P9 million as reward to Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) units for the neutralization of several high ranking New People’s Army (NPA) leaders in the region, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Cirilito Sobejana said.
Sobejana handed over the cash to the EastMinCom’s top performing units during a ceremony held in Naval Station Felix Apolinario covered court in Camp Panacan, Davao City on June 15, 2021.
“Our President really monitors what we are doing. In fact, I heard from him the units that made a difference and contributed more towards the attainment of sustainable peace and development shall be recognized. And that is a manifestation that our Commander-in-Chief does not want our accomplishments to go unnoticed,” Sobejana told the soldiers during his speech.
Among the neutralized high-value individuals were Marcelino Navarro of NPA northeastern Mindanao regional committee 2nd deputy secretary and head of education and propaganda; Manuel Magante Gilo, finance officer of regional operations command, southern Mindanao regional committee (ROC-SMRC); Romeo Lendio Libron, ROC-SMRC commanding officer; Rogelio Masaya Udal, regional ordnance member and former Pulang Bagani command (PBC-1) vice commanding officer; Zaldy Gulmatico Pulido, secretary of guerrilla front 53; and Danny Huit, secretary of guerrilla front north, SRC-1, SMRC.
Sobejana said that even without monetary rewards, the troops stand ready to serve the country and protect the Filipinos.
“We do not want to impress upon the public that our soldiers expected a reward to every move but we want to demonstrate that even without it, your soldiers are motivated and ready to serve. We are always on the go and we ensure that we are able to uphold our mandates as the defender of the territory and protector of the Filipino people,” he said.
Earlier, Duterte through Sobejana also rewarded the Western Mindanao Command with P2 million for the rescue of Indonesian nationals. The operation resulted in the killing of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leaders who had taken the Indonesians hostage. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)