Duterte: Families of slain troopers, cops get extra P1M each

Published: 8:08 p.m., July 25, 2017 | Updated: 10:04 p.m., July 25, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said families of government troops who died in the Marawi siege will each receive P1 million each in financial aid.

This is on top of the P250,000 financial assistance given by Go Negosyo, which was founded by Joey Concepcion, presidential adviser on entrepreneurship.

During his speech at the turnover in Malacañang, Duterte said the donor of the P1 million financial aid for each of the families did not want to be identified.

“Ayaw kong sabihin kasi ayaw rin niyang sabihin,” Duterte said. “Ayaw niyang sabihin ko sa publiko o kanino man. Sabi niya; ‘Huwag lang malaman. Basta ako magbigay’.”

“Bigay siya ng one million para sa inyo, isa’t isang pamilya,” Duterte added. “Kilala ko lang siya dahil Presidente ako. Mga gatherings na ano. But now I see the – I can see the soul of the man. Ito ’yung pupunta talaga sa langit.”

Michella Lago, wife of Sgt. Throlen Lago, who died in a bungled airstrike of the military on May 31, will be among the relatives of troopers and police officers killed in Marawi who will receive financial assistance from businessmen in a ceremony in Malacañang on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. (Photo by NESTOR CORRALES / INQUIRER.net)

The President condoled with the families as he assured the government would extend all the necessary assistance for them.

“I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to the families of our troops who perished fighting for the liberation of Marawi,” he said. “I know that no amount could equal the precious lives of your loved ones. May you find solace in the fact that the whole nation condoles with you in these trying times. The Philippines will forever be grateful for their heroism.”

The chief executive thanked private organizations for “extending the much-needed support for the bereaved families of our fallen AFP and PNP troops.”

“”I would like to commend our partners from the private sector for their participation in the rehabilitation of the city of Marawi,” he said. “Your humanitarian activities are continuous sources of hope for the thousands of displaced families in the region.” /atm