Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa showed his solidarity with troops in Mindanao who could not take some time off to spend Christmas with their families.
Dellosa spent Christmas Day in Iligan City to oversee the massive military retrieval and relief operations for the victims of Tropical Storm “Sendong.”
He was in Cagayan de Oro City and Compostela Valley on Christmas Eve.
Before that, Dellosa visited troops in Sulu, Basilan and Zamboanga following his order to top military commanders to make sure that they are regularly seen and heard by their troops in the front line.
He said he extended his stay in Mindanao to boost the morale of hundreds of soldiers who have had no break from disaster-response operations since “Sendong” struck last Dec. 16.
“I can’t be any prouder of our men and women in service who have exceeded the already demanding duties of being a soldier. This is my way of expressing my appreciation and recognition of their extraordinary efforts,” Dellosa said in a statement.
“It isn’t easy for all of us to be away from our loved ones. We can only hope now that everything will be fine and we’ll get our chance to celebrate with our families,” he added.
At the same time, he reminded commanders to take precautions while conducting operations.
“Proper coordination of our movements is tantamount in ensuring that the relief is distributed fast and efficiently without any more risk,” he said.
Dellosa was at the Army 10th Infantry Division headquarters and the 1001st Brigade headquarters in Compostela Valley on Dec. 24.
He spent the Christmas Eve with commanders and troops of the 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City which has been hands on in the relief and rescue operations since day one of the disaster.
He visited troops in Western Mindanao on Dec. 22 and 23.
On Dec. 22, he visited the 3rd Air Division headquarters in Zamboanga City, the Sulu Island Command in Jolo, the 4th Special Regiment Battalion headquarters in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan, the 32nd Infantry Battalion headquarters in Lamitan City, and the 4th Special Forces Battalion based in Isabela City.
On Friday, he proceeded to the Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City and then visited the Western Mindanao Naval Force.