President Rodrigo Duterte lived up to his promise to bring
soldiers who were wounded in action, including a blind soldier who made him
teary-eyed when they met a few weeks ago, to Malacañang Palace, which he
prefers to call “Palace of the People”.
In a dinner he hosted for them Monday night, the
Commander-in-Chief reiterated his assurance that he will not abandon his
troops, particularly those who are wounded in action.
”I can assure you: My presidency will take care of you, you
have nothing to worry about,” President Duterte assured the soldiers, most of
whom visited the Palace for the first time.
While making the rounds of military camps nationwide,
President Duterte promised to double the salary of soldiers and police, and
provide them scholarships for their children, modern military equipment, and
state-of-the-art medical facilities.
Saying that not every Filipino is given a rare chance to die
for his country, President Duterte encouraged the wounded soldiers not to lose
hope.
”There’s always a drawback somewhere when there is fighting.
Whether you like or not, there is always a day for you. So kayong medyo lumusot
(So those of you who escaped death), it means to say: ‘Fight again,’” the
President told them.
Lt. Jerome Jacuba, who lost his eyesight after he was hit by
an improvised explosive device during an operation in Maguindanao several
months ago, received a laptop he requested from the President.
”Here’s your laptop, ibigay mo sa kanya pati siguro kotse
na, isali mo na (also give him a car),” the President instructed his staff,
drawing applause from the crowd that included Senate President Aquilino ‘Koko’
Pimentel III and Cabinet officials led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
In response, Jacuba expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the
President for giving him hope that he thought would never come again after the
Maguindanao blast that left him totally blind.
”Mahirap mawalan ng paningin. Marami pa ako gustong gawin.
Marami pa akong pangarap sa buhay. Paano na ang mga anak ko? Hindi ko na
makikita kung paano sila mag-drawing, gaano sila kagaling sumayaw. Pero ganun
pa man, simula ng bumisita si President Duterte, talagang nagbago ang lahat,”
Jacuba said.
("It is difficult to lose one's eyesight. I still want
to achieve a lot of things. I still have a lot of dreams. What will happen to
my children now? I will never see their drawings or how they will dance.
Nonetheless, President Duterte's visit changed everything," Jacuba said.)
He said blessings have begun to pour in for him and his
family after his emotional meeting with President Duterte at V. Luna Hospital
last August 2. The meeting where the crying Jacuba tightly hugged the President
went viral in the internet.
”Yun sana
("It was my one chance to come face to face with a
President but it was denied to me. I am so happy that, because of you Sir, I
began to have hope again," he said.)
The 28-year-old Jacuba also thanked the President for his
sincerity to serve the Filipino soldiers and the entire country.
”Kung kami ang mga bayani, kayo naman ang bayani ng mga
bayani. Ikaw ang naglift up ng morale ng mga sundalo. Kayo ang leader na may
puso at sinsero,” Jacuba said.
("If we soldiers are heroes, then you sir is the hero
of heroes. You lift the morale of soldiers. You are a leader with heart and
sincerity," Jacuba said.)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=918324
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