Aquino to turn over yet-to-be-built homes to soldiers, cops

President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday will preside over the symbolic turnover of 21,800 houses to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel in Trece Martires City as part of the 26th anniversary celebration of the 1986 People Power Revolution.

Afterward Mr. Aquino will tour the model homes and award completed houses to four personnel from the AFP and four from the PNP. The President first announced the housing program for police and military personnel at last year’s Edsa I anniversary.

In a statement, AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa said the symbolic turnover “was a way of the AFP to recognize the valuable efforts of its soldiers in the continuation of democracy.”

“The military has made significant contributions to the preservation of our democratic institutions and, in return, we celebrate the 26th anniversary of the Edsa revolution by giving our soldiers something to reward their efforts,” Dellosa said.

Although the symbolic turnover will be held in Trece Martires City, AFP public affairs chief Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said that houses, which have yet to be built, would also be constructed in Bulacan and Laguna. Half of the 21,000-plus homes would go to AFP personnel and half to PNP personnel, he said.

“Let this event be a reminder of our responsibility to the Filipino people and the need for our continued commitment to our mandate as defenders of peace and freedom in our country,” Dellosa said.

The AFP meanwhile announced its participation in the People Power festivities, particularly the “salubungan” (coming together) scheduled on Saturday.

The salubungan reenacts the coming together on the highway known as Edsa of rebel military officers and civilian leaders in a bid to seek a peaceful resolution to the tense confrontation with the dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his loyal forces on Feb. 22-25, 1986.

Some 2,000 soldiers will join the reenactment along with 2,000 police, 200 reserve corps cadets and 100 veterans.

The AFP will also deploy civil disturbance management platoons and security and medical teams to ensure a peaceful celebration of the People Power revolt.