(Eagle News)—President Rodrigo Duterte met with families of soldiers who were killed in the line of duty in two separate incidents in Sulu, the Palace said on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President met with the kin of soldiers who died in an encounter with the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul on Feb. 2 and with the kin of a soldier who was among those killed after the twin explosions at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo on Jan. 27 on Monday, Feb. 4.
He said the meeting took place at the Matina Enclaves in Davao.
“He comforted the grieving families and assured them of the government’s assistance in terms of housing, livelihood, employment and educational assistance, among others,” Panelo said.
He said the President also conferred on the slain soldiers the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kalasag.
Also in the meeting were Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Benjamin Madrigal Jr., Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde and Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Macairog Alberto, among others.
