Jolo blasts soldiers’ benefits assured

President Rodrigo Duterte the other day assured the families of soldiers killed in the twin explosions in Jolo, Sulu, that they will receive all the benefits due them as well as provide them with necessary housing and educational assistance for the victims’ children.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who was present during the meeting said President Duterte also gave the families financial assistance of P500,000.

“He gave them the presidential special financial assistance worth P500,000 while the Armed Forces of the Philippines likewise gave them their financial assistance ranging from P200,000 to P400,000 depending on the rank of the soldier,” he said.

Aside from meeting the families of Jolo blasts victims, the President also met with families of the 32 soldiers killed in action from February 2016 to 2019.

The President addressed the concerns of the families about the benefits due them such as housing and jobs.

He specifically instructed Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to address their concerns about jobs while National Housing Authority General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. was also present to discuss their issues on housing.

Meanwhile, President Duterte on Tuesday night also visited the wake of the wife of former Cagayan de Oro City Mayor and veteran broadcaster Reuben Canoy.

The former mayor’s wife Solona passed away on Sunday.

A long-time acquaintance of the President, Canoy was a member of the consultative committee that drafted the proposed federal charter that is being pushed by Duterte.