Western Mindanao Command, Zamboanga City
21 July 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte asked for a full support to help the government in combating criminality in the Philippines when he faced the soldiers and members of the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) in Zamboanga City.

“Do your duty, if you are ordered for an operation against shabu, nagkasabit-sabit kayo, I will be there in the fulfillment of [your] duty or in the performance of your task, you will have my support one hundred percent,” he said.

The Commander-in-Chief remained firm on his stance in fighting illegal drugs, violence, and terrorism in the nation. He said that the military and police forces should not feel scared in responding to their call of duty for they should be doing it for the country and not for him.

According to President Duterte, increases in the benefits of the armed forces will materialize this year but such increases will be done gradually. This will also include some law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

He also talked on the need for additional soldiers and around 3,000 policemen that will safeguard major cities in the country to fight urban terrorism.

The President spoke before a crowd of around 300 uniformed personnel gathered at the WESTMINCOM Gymnasium. These included members of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), 3rd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Philippine National Police (PNP), Task Group Zamboanga (TGZ), 1st Army Training Group of the Philippine Army (PA), and the Marine Force (MARFORCE).

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