President’s visit to 1ID draws optimism among ZamboSurians

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 9): President’s visit to 1ID draws optimism among ZamboSurians

President Rodrigo R. Duterte is scheduled to visit the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, the premiere division of the Philippine Army, in Camp Major Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday, August 10.

Lt.Col. Hubert Acierto, commanding officer of the 1st Field Artillery Battalion, Army Artillery Regiment said “it's a great honor and privilege for us (troopers) to meet our commander-in-chief in the ground.”

“We will listen to the pronouncement of the president especially on the internal security policies and counter-insurgency campaign,” Acierto, who will be attending the arrival ceremony along with his fellow officers, declared.

Deputy Provincial Director Supt. James A. Turbela of the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office stressed that they are one with the military in the fight against illegal drugs, which is the battle cry of the president’s administration.

The PNP will likewise assist in providing security to President Duterte.

Meanwhile, Aida Ascabano, a bakery cashier said the president’s camp visit will boost the soldiers’ morale.

“As the country’s leader, it is very important for President Duterte to visit the camps of the soldiers because they are our protectors,” she said.

“Kinahanglan nga ipatuman usab sa presidente ang AFP modernization program aron makabaton ang atong mga sundalo sa state-of-the-art military equipment pagpakigbatok sa mga terorista nga maoy naghatag kasamok sa atong nasud,” she added (The president should also implement the AFP modernization program for the soldiers to possess state-of-the-art military equipment in fighting against terrorists and those who wreak havoc in our country.)

 “I am grateful that the president will visit Tabak division for him to see and assess the needs of our soldiers,” Rosalina Cane, a fruit vendor said in the local dialect.

Cane describes the president as a simple and humble person who is true to his word. He also has a heart for the wounded soldiers. “Duterte is the only president in our country who declared total war against drugs and criminality,” she added.

Sonia Inferido, a plain housewife is optimistic that the president’s visit will surely bring good news to the soldiers.

Duterte’s pronouncement to increase the salaries of soldiers, giving scholarships to military dependents, and other incentives would  encourage the soldiers to perform their duties with utmost sincerity and honesty.

“I believe that with the reforms introduced by the president in the AFP, we can no longer see scalawags in the organization,” she added.

It can be recalled that for 6 years, the province has not been visited by the highest official of the land.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371470721933/president-s-visit-to-1id-draws-optimism-among-zambosurians