President Duterte on Monday visited the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City to honor the soldiers who died in the Philippine Air Force C-130 plane that crashed in Patikul, Sulu over the weekend.
He first went to Camp Navarro General Hospital (CNGH) to award the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kampilan to the wounded soldiers.
He then proceeded to the Naval Forces for Western Mindanao (NAVFORWEM) for the symbolic Conferment of the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kalasag to those who were will killed in the crash.
In brief speech during the ceremony, Duterte lamented the fate of the passengers and committed to extend all the necessary aid to them and their families.
“They died for our country and, for that, I am very grateful to those who died and those who suffered and are still suffering now,” Duterte said.
He also reiterated his commitment to improve the benefits of soldier, particularly their pension, before he ends his term next year.
Currently, the economic managers are working to raise the necessary money to put up a self-sustaining pension fund as well as a bank for soldiers, according to Duterte.
He said the government could sell or lease its properties in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig to fund this initiative.