Duterte assures military: I’ll take care of you

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to prioritize the welfare of the military, telling that he will take care of them during his six-year term after a visit at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center along V. Luna Road in Quezon City.

“I'll take care of you,” Duterte told one of the patients.

The president comforted patients who were wounded in battle while defending the Constitution and pursuing the government’s peace efforts. 

Duterte interacted with patients at the country’s premier military medical facility, spending about five hours by going to the bedside of 69 soldiers wounded in battles. He also shared some jokes with them to ease their pains.

A number of the soldiers tried their best to get off their beds to give a salute to the commander-in-chief as many of them cried and hugged the president.

He inspired them by announcing his administration’s programs covering a wide range of medical, health, social services and educational benefits.

The president emphasized that he does not want the lives of soldiers compromised, by making sure that health and medical attention are given on time. Before leaving each patient, he invited them to dinner in Malacañang in the coming days.

Duterte then met with around 500 officers and non-commissioned officers of the hospital and announced that he has allocated P500 million for the purchase of new and state-of-the-art medical equipment as well as the construction of a new building for the hospital.

He also gave a stern warning against corrupt activities such as bid rigging. The president lamented the current bidding process being implemented by government which is open to corruption.

Duterte also directed senior officials of the AFP to form a committee that would facilitate the release of retirement and pension benefits of soldiers. He likewise announced that he has approved the recruitment of 10,000 more soldiers.

Watch the video below of Duterte's visit to AFP Medical Center.