THE Department of National Defense (DND) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were elated by the continuous support being given to them by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Recognizing that that there are still a lot to be done before Duterte’s term ends in 2022, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Department of National Defense will push for the continued modernization of the AFP, enactment of laws to improve the personnel management of the AFP and focus on the other priorities the administration set five years back when they took their posts.
“At the DND, we are grateful for the enduring support of the President for the improvement of the welfare and capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines when he increased the salaries of the soldiers. We are thankful for his leadership and direction to end the local communist insurgency, the provision of benefits for rebel returnees and the enactment of the Bangsamoro Basic Law that would address the grievances of our Muslim brothers,” he said in a statement.
“Our road ahead is laid for us by the President and we will do our utmost to accomplish our mandate in securing our country and contributing to national development,” he added.
PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar, for his part, expressed gratitude to Duterte for pushing for a law in order to provide free legal assistance for police and military personnel when they face charges from incidents related to the performance of official duty.
“Malaki ang maitutulong nito sa amin lalo na sa mga pulis na walang kakayahang magbayad ng abogado,” he said.
“Gusto din namin pasalamatan ang Pangulo para sa pagsusulong niya sa unified pension system para sa lahat ng uniformed personnel. Lubos ang ating pasalamat sa malasakit ng ating mahal na Pangulo na tinitiyak ang sapat at tamang benepisyo para sa mga miyembro ng unipormadong serbisyo. Malaking bagay ito para sa mga nagsakripisyo at nag-alay ng matagal na panahon sa pagsisilbing tapat sa sinumpaang tungkulin para proteksyunan ang bayan at mamamayan,” he added.
Eleazar assured that the PNP would participate in discussions on these proposed legislations before the Congress.
During his State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 26, 2021, Duterte cited the support given to the AFP and PNP over the past five years of his administration, especially in implementing a modernization program and boosting the morale of the personnel.
He said he did this in order to address the country’s severe problem on the proliferation of illegal drugs, criminality and insurgency, which he promised to prioritize and end during his term. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)