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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 11) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday appealed to local officials in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to help his administration control rebels in the region to avoid an all-out offensive. Nagmamakaawa ako sa inyo tulungan niyo ko (I am begging you to help me). Because otherwise, if I give out an order for an all-out offensive, it will be bloody and it will be sad. Iyon ang ayaw ko (I do not want that), Duterte said in a speech before BARMM officials in Maguindanao. If I give the order, I will no longer withdraw it, he added.
Published May 10, 2021, 4:38 PM
Vice President Leni Robredo had meaningful words to say when she attended virtually the graduation of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Masaligan” Class of 2021 and awarded the Vice Presidential Saber to CDT 1CL Daryl Brix Colita of Malalag, Davao del Sur.
“We join you in prayer as you embark on your first assignments protecting our country after graduation,” she said in a Facebook post on Monday, May 10.
VP Leni Robredo attends virtually the graduation of the PMA “Masaligan” Class of 2021 (VP Leni Robredo/Facebook)
Although she did not refer to it, Robredo might have been referring to the threat posed by China in the country’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
SunStar
Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea (File)
+ April 23, 2021 ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Cirilito Sobejana said they have proposed the construction of various structures on islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to better protect the disputed territory.
“We are entertaining also the idea subject to the wisdom of National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) na magtatayo tayo ng mga istraktura diyan sa lugar katulad ng ginagawa ng China,” Sobejana said in a virtual press conference on Thursday, April 22, 2021.
“Kasi ang dahilan kung bakit hindi tayo nagtatayo diyan nung araw kasi may napag-usapan na wala dapat magpatayo subalit yun ay nilabag ng China, kaya dapat tayo magpatayo na tayo starting now,” he added.
SunStar
File April 22, 2021 ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Cirilito Sobejana said he has ordered the Civil Military Operations to organize humanitarian activities similar to the community pantry to help indigent families during this coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
He also planned to convince AFP personnel to donate their subsistence allowance for one day to the endeavor.
In a virtual press conference on Thursday, April 22, 2021, Sobejana said the Joint Task Force National Capital Region (NCR) will identify the areas where help is most needed.
“In fact, we are looking for funds for this purpose. I am even contemplating of convincing the members of the AFP to donate one day of our subsistence allowance. With that we will be able to accumulate substantial amount to support the program, ‘yung community pantry or other similar humanitarian undertakings,” he said.
By HANA BORDEY, GMA News
Published April 14, 2021 7:03pm The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Cirilito Sobejana officially received his fourth star on Wednesday, three weeks after the confirmation of his nomination to the rank of general. The ceremony was led by Defense Undersecretary Cesar Yano on behalf Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who is in isolation due to COVID-19 at the Department of National Defense’s building in Camp Aguinaldo. Sobejana received the traditional military honors given to all appointed AFP chiefs. It was attended by Sobejana’s family and the chiefs of the Joint, Personal, and Special Staff of the AFP.