Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
July 22, 2016

“I salute you for your sacrifice and hard work. Being a soldier is not easy,” said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte when he talked to the men of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) based in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

At the beginning of his keynote address, the President touched on the situation briefing he attended earlier where he was informed of the division’s successes.

“We are in safe hands, and the presence of government is strongly felt through the military, and I would like to assure you that I’m just more than satisfied to go home knowing that all of us are doing everything we can do for the nation,” he said.

He also told the armed forces that he would take responsibility should they be jailed in the fulfillment of their duties ordered by their officers, and added that he would do the same with the police and all other law enforcers. “Don’t let it bother you, or basta trabaho lang. Kung may magpakulong, ako. Sagot ko kayong lahat, basta sa trabaho,” the President said.

Prior to the said activity, the Commander-in-Chief was ushered for the ceremonial signing of the presidential seal printed in paper, which will be molded in bronze and mounted at the camp’s newly renovated Presidential Cottage.

Also present were Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya, 6ID Commander MGen. Edmundo Pangilinan, and an estimated crowd of 400 composed of division officers, enlisted men and other invited guests.

***