AFP chief tells troops on pay raise: Be patient

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Ricardo Visaya. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Armed Forces chief General Ricardo Visaya told Army soldiers to be patient about their salary increase as committed by President Rodrigo Duterte during his campaign.

“[He told the troops] to have patience daw sa (regarding the) salary increase. What the President says, he always makes it happen,” Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said, quoting the AFP chief.

Visaya made his first official visit as AFP chief at the Philippine Army headquarters on Wednesday.

Last week, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the government would not be able to fulfill Duterte’s promise of wage increase to police and military personnel as the 2017 budget did not include allocation for it.

READ: DBM: Pay hike for cops may take more than 5 years

During his campaign for the May 9 elections, Duterte promised to increase the basic salary of government forces, as higher wages would prevent them from accepting bribes and doing other illegal activities.

Visaya also reiterated Duterte’s campaign against gambling, illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.

“He explained the importance of the anti-drug campaign of the government…and the pending release of political detainees,” Hao said. CDG

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