Soldiers to get more benefits as PRRD considers putting a GSIS-like institution

President Duterte pays respects to C-130H victims

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte flew to Zamboanga City and paid tribute to the C-130H victims at Western Mindanao Command headquarters Monday afternoon.

“I am very grateful to those who died and those who suffered and are still suffering now,” he said in his remarks as he vowed to extend all the possible assistance to the victims, including those in need of prosthesis.

He acknowledged burns would take time to heal.

President Duterte expressed home he would be able to create an agency similar to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and a bank which will be funded from selling part of Fort Bonifacio. He added he may lease part of Fort Bonifacio.

He promised to see to it the soldiers’ beneficiaries get to school and through college.

President Duterte conferred posthumous decoration of Order of Lapu-Lapu, rank of Kalasag on several soldiers who died in the mishap.

It was earlier confirmed 47 military personnel died in the worst military aircraft mishap which took place at Patikul in Sulu yesterday. All of the 96 passengers have been accounted for. (Melo M. Acuña)

President Rodrigo Duterte honors the C-130H crash victims at the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City Monday evening. (Screen grab from PTV4/PCOO/RTVM)