THE 10TH Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief claimed that unit morale remained high due to recent operational successes but refrained from commenting on the individual sentiments of soldiers amid the current national political climate.
Major Ruben Gadut, the 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief, said, “Our military’s morale is high, not due to the prevailing political landscape, but because of our significant accomplishments.”
“We are pleased with our organizational morale, as our campaign for the total defeat of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) continues unabated. We have not reported any resurgence or recovery efforts by communist terrorist groups, nor any recruitment, extortion, permit-to-campaign activities, or NPA-initiated violent incidents within our joint operational area,” Gadut told reporters during the Davao Peace and Security press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on March 26.
“Furthermore, we have seen an increase in municipalities declared insurgency-free. Our military’s morale is high because we see that we are protecting the gains we have made in terms of organizational morale,” he said.
” Regarding personal morale, I cannot speak on their behalf, but personally, my morale is high because I am healthy, well-compensated for my work, and have time to see my loved ones. I am happy to continue serving,” Gadut said.
“So, that is the type of morale we are discussing in relation to our current work,” he concluded.
Recently, Vice President Sara Duterte made a virtual appearance at the hearing from The Hague, where she criticized the AFP for allowing her father’s arrest to proceed.
The vice president has called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to explain the circumstances surrounding the arrest of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
She argues that the Presidential Security Command (PSC), a unit within the AFP, is legally mandated to provide security for former presidents.
“Gusto ko na sumagot ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) kung bakit nila pinayagan na mangyari eto because under the law, the Presidential Security Command (PSC) is in charge of the security of former Presidents. (I want the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to explain why this was allowed to happen because, under the law, the Presidential Security Command (PSC) is in charge of the security of former presidents),” Vice President Duterte stated.
“So, bakit nila hinayaan na mangyari eto sa isang dating Pangulo ng ating bayan (Why did they allow this to happen to a former President of our country)?” she added.
But, Senate President Chiz Escudero made a remark that while politicians may have disputes, it is not the military’s role to intervene or act as an arbiter.
Escudero said, “The AFP’s position is to remain neutral, he said, upholding both the law and its chain of command, which places the president at the top of the ladder.”
