Noy doubles combat pay for soldiers

By Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) Updated December 22, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino issued Executive Order 15, increasing the combat pay of soldiers.

Aquino made the announcement in an address during the 75th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday at Camp Aguinaldo.

Under the order, the monthly combat pay of soldiers in the field will be raised to P500 from P240.

“This may be a small amount compared to your heroism, but the government has a way to raise what you receive every 15th of the month. We will not deny you this,” he said in Filipino.

“And we will not stop here. We will fill the deficiencies in arms, health benefits, and housing needs,” he added.

EO 15 stipulates that all members of the AFP “actually” engaged in combat against groups that threaten national security shall be entitled to the new combat allowance.

This is specified as those included in the roster of enlisted uniformed personnel sent on a specific combat mission covered by an operations officer or a fragmentary order verified by the concerned chief of command, in turn approved by the AFP chief of Staff.

Funds for the increase will be drawn from the personnel services savings of the AFP during fiscal year 2010 and 2011.

Last month, the Senate committees on finance and national defense and security passed Senate joint Resolution No. 8 increasing the combat pay of soldiers.

The resolution noted that the combat pay was last increased 25 years ago through EO 1017 issued on March 22, 1985.

Call for solidarity

On the occasion of the military’s anniversary, AFP chief of staff Gen. Ricardo David, Jr. called for unity among stakeholders to ensure the success of “Bayanihan,” the internal security plan replacing “Oplan Bantay Laya.”

“Bayanihan,” which takes effect from Jan. 1, 2011 to 2016, focuses on non-military approaches to end the decades-long insurgency problem in the country.

This will be in the form of focused military operations, peace talks, developmental projects, and reforms in the security sector.

The plan states, however, that even if focus is given to non-military approaches, the military will give equal importance to combat operations to address threats of armed groups to national security.

Under the plan, the government will focus on defeating terrorists like the Abu Sayyaf, but continue to engage in peace talks with communist rebels and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta, Jr. said President Aquino himself will lead the implementation of Bayanihan.

David handed over the Bayanihan defense plan to Aquino in a formal ceremony witnessed by state officials, military officers, and foreign diplomats. – With Alexis Romero, Rhodina Villanueva