AFP: No 'grumblings' over delayed salary hike

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday denied that some members of the military are frustrated over President Rodrigo Duterte’s alleged failure to fulfill his promise to increase their salaries.

"There are no disgruntled members of the military over the so-called''unfulfilled promise to double their salaries'," said Col. Edgard Arevalo, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office.

The clarification came a day after Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano revealed that some soldiers have expressed their disappointment to the government for not implementing their salary increase.

"Definitely there are frustrations. Meron tayong naririnig, mga grumblings. Meron ho ‘yan," Alejano, a former AFP junior officer, told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

"'Yan (salary increase) ay hindi dumating. Kaya nga sabi ko, 'wag mangako nang hindi kaya,” he added.

Arevalo stressed that AFP members work in the service of the people and not for financial benefits.

"[W]e reiterate that your soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines are happily serving the nation and fellow Filipinos motivated by honor, service, and patriotism — and not only by mere financial remuneration,” he said.

"While we give due respect to the good Representative from the Magdalo Partylist, we say that the morale of the soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines is high. They take exception to the claim of displeasure," he added.

Arevalo said AFP personnel have already been given a raise in their take-home pays even without asking for it.

"To be given a raise therefore is a privilege,” he said.

Moreover, Arevalo said they have already explained to every AFP member the delay in the release of the salary hike.

"The matter on the salary increase not being given yet in full as promised; and the intricacies of budgeting, among other issues, have been properly explained to every AFP personnel and they understood,” he said.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno confirmed last month that the police and the military would receive their pay hike beginning January 1 as part of the second tranche of the government's salary standardization. —Erwin Colcol/KBK, GMA News