Duterte wants no repeat of graft scandal at AFP after increased benefits

From GMA News (Sep 18): Duterte wants no repeat of graft scandal at AFP after increased benefits

Officers and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines should not be embroiled in any corruption scandal after President Rodrigo Duterte provided the military with increased pay and other benefits, the Chief Executive said on Tuesday.

Duterte made the remark a month after he ordered the dismissal of military officials and personnel over the alleged anomalous transactions at the AFP Health Service.

"In my time lahat na hiningi ninyo binigay ko, lahat medisina. Nagka-problema lang tayo nagalit ako... Hindi talaga ako papayag. I hope it would not be repeated again," Duterte told troops at the headquarters of the Army's 5th Infantry Division in Gamu, Isabela.

Duterte last month ordered the dismissal and commencement of court martial proceedings against some 20 officials and personnel including Brigadier General Edwin Leo Torrelavega, AFP Health Service Command chief, and Colonel Antonio Punzalan, commander of the AFP Medical Center in Quezon City.

Malacañang said the military officials and personnel took part in fraudulent transactions, including ghost purchasing, splitting of contracts to circumvent mandatory bidding processes and conceiving fictitious suppliers.

Duterte had vowed to reduce corruption to the barest minimum under his watch.

In his speech, Duterte assured the soldiers that the government would provide the "tools and resources" necessary so they could effectively perform their mandate as protectors of the nation.

"The Filipino people are grateful for your heroism and as your commander-in-chief, I assure you that you are not alone in this fight. You have my full support and I stand by you as we secure a safer future for our children," Duterte said.

"With your bravery and patriotism, I am optimistic that we will one day defeat our threats to our sovereignty, improve the lives of our people and strengthen the foundation of a more inclusive and progressive tomorrow," he added.
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