President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night cited the bravery of the soldiers who died in a helicopter crash in Bukidnon over the weekend and promised not to abandon their families.
In a pre-recorded speech, Duterte said he wanted to personally go to Bukidnon to pay his respects but learned that the soldiers’ remains had already been brought to their families.
“They are still in the camp. But then their remains were already brought home to their families, so I decided to forgo the trip,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri said the Senate was willing to help in the AFP’s aircraft modernization following the recent accidents involving military aircraft.
In a privilege speech delivered on the floor on Tuesday afternoon, Zubiri said they were ready to listen to the military for what they needed, what comfortable level of budget they needed for 2022 and in the succeeding years to sustain their efforts in modernizing.
Duterte was saddened by the troops’ death but recognized them for their heroism and vowed to posthumously confer on them the Order of Lapu-Lapu, a national order of merit given to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals in recognition of invaluable or extraordinary service.
“Let me express my deepest condolences sa mga asawa ninyo. And I share your grief. Alam ko kung gaano na lang ganoon ang sakripisyo ng sundalo para sa bayan nila. They died heroes. And we are giving them one of the highest awards: he Order of Lapu-Lapu,” Duterte said.
Before ending his meeting with some Cabinet members, Duterte offered a moment of silence for the fallen troops.
“To their families, I said, I share my grief again. I’m sad about what happened. Maybe I can have a one-minute silence from everybody and let us pray for those who died in that helicopter crash. And may they rest in peace,” he said.
Duterte also vowed not to abandon the soldiers’ bereaved families.
“To their families), my message is I will not abandon you. You will not be abandoned,” he said.
A UH-IH “Huey” combat utility helicopter crashed in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon on Saturday afternoon, killing all seven people on board. Among those killed were five military personnel and two militiamen.
Philippine Air Force spokesman Aristides Galang earlier said it was still too early to presume that the helicopter crash on Jan. 16 was due to engine failure or malfunction.
Galang made the statement following reports that engine failure was the cause of the mishap.
