Duterte to PMA graduates: Just do your job, I’ll take care of you

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City — Just do your duty.

President Rodrigo Duterte had this to say on Sunday to the graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Alab Tala” Class of 2018 as he assured the government’s full support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“I will never allow, ever allow anybody, be it the police, military, armed forces or the uniformed policemen [to go to jail],” Duterte said in his speech here.

“Just do your duty in accordance with law, ako na ang bahala sa inyo (I’ll take care of you),” he added.

The President said mistakes were inevitable but he said he was confident that the new members of the AFP “have been equipped with the knowledge and skills to excel.”

“Mistakes will always be inevitable but have confidence in knowing that the rules of the academy have honed you for the responsibilities that await you as you assume leadership roles in the armed forces,” he said.

Duterte told the graduates of the “bigger challenges ahead” in their career.

“As you leave the halls of PMA and enter your chosen branches of service, you will be faced with realities that are far more complex than what you have been prepared for,” he said.

He urged the new graduates to always embody the virtues they learned from the academy.

“Remember always the three words that have been ingrained deeply in your hearts—courage, integrity and loyalty. Embody these words and use them to guide your actions throughout your careers,” he said.

He then called on the new members of the AFP “to continue to become a source of strength and inspiration to your fellow soldiers and instruments of meaningful change in our society.” /je