Malacañan Palace
28 October 2014

President Benigno S. Aquino III paid tribute to the 45th Founding Anniversary of the Office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Sergeant Major and the celebration of the 19th Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Day at Malacañang.
“Talaga namang masasabi ko sa inyo na marami namang dahilan kung bakit natin masasabing talagang kapuri-puri ang ating sandatahang lakas,” the Commander-in-Chief said in his speech pertaining to AFP’s response during the Zamboanga siege.
The President also emphasized on the government’s strategy to uplift the quality and skills of the AFP with a simple theme, “Yung Nagmamalasakit sa Kapwa, Dapat Namang Makadama ng Pagmamalasakit ng Estado.” Among his examples are the revisions on the AFP pension system, the modernization of AFP’s equipment, and the housing and livelihood programs in Camp Kibaritan in Bukidnon and Camp Peralta in Capiz for the active and retired AFP personnel.
“Pwede tayong pumapel na ama at gabay,” President Aquino said as he addressed the Sergeant Majors present in the event. “Pwede tayong lumingon sabay-sabay, at masabi natin pag-alis ko dito sa institusyong ito, ‘di hamak mas maganda ang iniwanan ko kaysa sa dinatnan ko,” he added.

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