Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 16) — Top performing units of the Eastern Mindanao Command received ₱9 million monetary reward from President Rodrigo Duterte for neutralizing some high-ranking leaders of the New People’s Army.
In a statement, authorities said Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana and EastMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol personally handed over the reward, of which ₱7 million was given to units under EastMinCom and the remaining to a unit under Western Mindanao Command.
Among those neutralized were Marcelino Navarro of NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee 2nd Deputy Secretary & Head of Education and Propaganda; Manuel Magante Gilo, the Finance Officer of Regional Operations Command, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (ROC-SMRC); Romeo Lendio Libron, ROC-SMRC Commanding Officer; Rogelio Masaya Udal, Regional Ordinance member & former Pulang Bagani Command (PBC-1) Vice Commanding Officer; Zaldy Gulmatico Pulido, Secretary of Guerrilla Front 53; and Danny Huit, Secretary of Guerrilla Front North, SRC-1, SMRC.
In his speech, Sobejana revealed that the compensation was provided by the President, noting that Duterte always monitors what military men are doing to ensure the “attainment of sustainable peace and development” and to recognize efforts regarding this.
However, he also assured that troops are doing their duty even without monetary rewards.
“We do not want to impress upon the public that our soldiers expected a reward to every move, but we want to demonstrate that even without it, your soldiers are motivated and ready to serve,” Sobejana said.
Almerol also lauded the soldiers for their achievement.
