Duterte gives Mindanao soldiers P9-M reward for ‘neutralizing’ NPA leaders

Eastern and Western Mindanao Command's top performing units received a P9-million reward for neutralizing several high ranking leaders of the New People's Army.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said of the P9 million, P7 million was given to units under EastMinCom, while P2 million was given to a unit under the Western Mindanao Command.

Among the neutralized high-value individuals were Marcelino Navarro of NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee 2nd deputy secretary and head of education and propaganda; Manuel Magante Gilo, the finance officer of Regional Operations Command, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (ROC-SMRC); Romeo Lendio Libron, ROC-SMRC commanding officer; Rogelio Masaya Udal, Regional Ordinance member and former Pulang Bagani Command (PBC-1) vice commanding officer; Zaldy Gulmatico Pulido, secretary of Guerrilla Front 53; and Danny Huit, secretary of Guerrilla Front North, SRC-1, SMRC.

In his address to the troops, AFP chief of staff General Cirilito Sobejana said the rewards were provided by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We do not want to impress upon the public that our soldiers expect a reward for every move but we want to demonstrate that even without it, your soldiers are motivated and ready to serve. We are always on the go and we ensure that we are able to uphold our mandates as the defender of the territory and protector of the Filipino people,” Sobejana said.

Sobejana has previously commended EastMinCom for sustaining its stand as one of the best unified commands in terms of accomplishments in both combat and non-combat operations.—Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News