Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City
October 5, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte confirmed the double pay of soldiers and policemen by January 2018 during his attendance in the 58th Philippine Army Change of Command Ceremony at the Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City.

According to the President, army generals were to receive the highest wage hike including the retiring generals. He also vowed to end his term with a strong armed forces.

“I promise that before I leave, which is a very, very short time constraint… I would want to leave the Presidency with a strong army and a strong police… capable of simultaneous attack,” he said.

On dealing with the New People’s Army (NPA) insurgencies, the President said he has closed his door to further negotiations given the continued rebel attacks against government forces.

“At this stage, I am not ready to talk to them because it is not good for the country. Kung para lang sa bayan, okay yan. But the way that it is now, ayaw ko. And maybe it would take some time for another President to do it,” President Duterte said.

Major General Rolando Joselito Bautista succeeded Lieutenant General Glorioso V. Miranda as the newly designated Commanding General of the Philippine Army. Prior to his installation, Bautista served as commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Marawi. He also served as the Presidential Security Group (PSG) Commander in 2016.

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