MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – President Duterte announced his plan to establish a special office to facilitate speedy release of military death benefits.
Duterte told the Army troops at Camp Gonzalo Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat town on Thursday that he is saddened by the difficulties of families of soldiers killed in the line of duty as a consequence of the slow processing of compensation by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Duterte visited the wake of two slain soldiers and one policeman – Cpl. Josel Miravalles and Pfc. Jaypee Duran and PO3 Darwin Espallardo.
They were part of a joint team of military and police operatives on a mission to arrest suspected drug trafficker Mukz Masgal in North Cotabato.
The operation turned bloody last Sunday when the team figured in a firefight with Masgal’s men armed with heavy weaponry.
Duterte said he wants the AFP to create an office to facilitate the release of death benefits and other terminal claims intended for beneficiaries.
Duterte said he is ready to bankroll the setting up of his envisioned functional conduit for quick payment of military death claims.
He said widows must not be burdened with the agony of delayed release of benefits for the loss of husbands in keeping with a commitment to serve the nation as soldiers, even to the point of losing their lives.
Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, spokesperson for Army’s 6th ID, said they appreciated the President’s commitment, which she said was something so “fascinating” for the troops on the frontline.
“That was a very good news. A very inspiring commitment from President Duterte,” Petinglay said.
Duterte first drew praise from officers and enlisted personnel of the 6th ID during his first visit to Camp Siongco on July 22, when he promised them “protection” from legal issues in helping out in the crackdown against drug syndicates.
“I want my husband to retire from the military service alive but that promise is just as good and is laudable. There must be an easy fallback for dependents of soldiers,” said Linda, a mother of three and wife of an Army sergeant based in Lanao del Sur.
A wife of a soldier who died of liver ailment in 2000 after having been wounded thrice in clashes with Moro secessionist rebels said she waited three years before receiving all the benefits she was entitled to receive from the AFP.
“That promise of the President is very nice and worth supporting,” the widow said.