• Duterte bares plans for centralized AFP, PNP medical system
• PRRD to critics: Don’t lecture me in public on HR issues

“I’m quite not comfortable with the arrangement now that ang Army, kung magpunta sa Air Force at doon magpa-ano, magbayad pa. And the Air Force in the field, it’s the expense of the Army, for whatever reason for any event, magbayad na naman, you have to pay inter-branch,” the President stated in his speech before the Philippine Air Force during the 48th Anniversary of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing.

“I’d like just to give you one service command para sa lahat. It would expedite matters and centralize everything,” he disclosed, saying he intends to undertake this plan and achieve it under his term.

The President proposed that this centralized system should cover the entire government troops belonging to the AFP and PNP. “Pati na pulis. Kasi kawawa naman sila kung i-separate mo. Then we can have an improved V. Luna Hospital also. I will try to give you the things that you need,” he told the airmen of the PAF.

At the same time, PRRD is now in the process of approving an extension of the pilots’ quarters even if the government has very limited budget. “Wala masyado akong pera ngayon. But I am approving the extension of the pilots’ quarters. It’s about two million plus. I’m giving it to you right away,” he said,

He also wants to continue to pursue the modernization program of the military which was started by the past administrations. “I am committed to your modernization. And you will get it, during my time, kasi ‘yung timeline na ipinakita sa amin is within the timeline of my presidency,” he said. (LMG/JAG/PND)

“They have to do it the right way,” the President said during his speech before airmen of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at the PAF Multi-purpose Hall in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City on Tuesday.

PRRD was referring to the issue of human rights raised by some world leaders during last week’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Vientiane, Laos.

The President explained that during the ASEAN Summit, he authorized the release of photographs depicting the horror that the Philippines suffered under the Spaniards and the Americans to show what true human rights violation looks like, and how these atrocities were committed against the Filipinos.

“I said to myself early on that this cannot continue, and I would have to address, if it’s human rights problem then we must discuss the entire gamut. And so nandiyan ngayon sa Facebook, ‘yung massacre everywhere,” he said.

President Duterte mentioned that in Samar, Filipinos were massacred by the Americans who got the Balangiga bell, hijacked it, stole it, and never returned it to the Philippines until now.

“It’s the sentimental value that is really attached. It is the massacre that happened to the Filipinos in Samar. Take note about that in the chapters of our history,” he said.

The President urged his critics that if they want to criticize or call his attention about human rights issues, they have to do it in the proper way. “Ang sinasabi ko lang, do it the proper way. If you want to criticize me, you bring the matter to the United Nations. Tapos tawagan nila ang atensyon ko, then I will answer, maybe in writing or send somebody there. But I cannot go there personally,” he said. (LMG/JAG/PND)