AFP happy as P-Noy comes through with increased pay for soldiers

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday welcomed the signing of the Executive Order No. 38 which pegs the combat pay and combat incentive pay of soldiers, saying that this is a very good morale booster for Filipino troops.

“This (EO No. 38) is a big morale boost particularly for soldiers in the field,” AFP spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos said in an interview after the send-off ceremonies for Philippine troops to be deployed to Golan Heights in Syria, held at the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

“We appreciate this,” Burgos said.

The signing of the EO is a fulfilment of President Benigno Aquino III’s earlier statement that he will uphold the rights of military servicemen and give additional incentives to troops, Burgos said.

He added that the signing of the EO shows that the Aquino administration is concerned for the morale and welfare of soldiers.

The EO No. 38, signed by Aquino on April 28, gives officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP a monthly combat duty pay of P500. Those in actual combat operations against lawless elements will receive an additional incentive of P150 per day. The adjustment will be applied retroactively as of January 1, 2011, the Palace said in a separate statement.