Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) Grandstand, Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City
March 10, 2018
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Ranks of Kampilan and Kamagi, to the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) soldiers during his visit at the Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) Grandstand in Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kampilan is awarded to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals who are seriously wounded and suffered great loss of property as a result of their participation to the campaign and advocacy of the President. Likewise, the Rank of Kamagi is conferred to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals who actively participated and contributed pursuant to the campaign and advocacy of the Chief Executive.
After the awarding, President Duterte expressed his gratitude to the soldiers for their efforts in combatting threats and fulfilling their sworn duty to protect the Filipino people in his speech before the officers and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyo for the sacrifice that you have shown for the love of country… Sa akin naman, at least I do everything to do your life comfortable, for you and for your family. And rest assured na kung ano man ang mangyari sa buhay – may kanya-kanya tayong destiny — ang pamilya ninyo will be taken cared of,” he said.
In his speech, the President further asked for their cooperation in continuing to fight for the people’s welfare and for the betterment of the country.
“I hope we can work together to assure the people of the comfortable life. ‘Pag mag-atras ako dito sa droga, mag-atras ako dito sa terorismo, at mag-atras ako sa NPA, this generation – ‘yung generation natin – would have failed to save the Republic and compromised the next, ‘yung anak ninyo at apo ninyo. We would have compromised the next generation,” he added.
Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Cesar Yano, AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Salvador Melchor Mison, Jr., Tactical Operations Command (TOC) Commander MGen. Domingo Palisoc, Jr., and WestMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr. joined the President in his visit.
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