Kindly sit down. Thank you.

National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana; Senator Bong Go; Sulu 2nd District Representative Munir Arbison; AFP Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay and the major service commanders; Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan; Sulu Vice Governor Abdusakur Tan II; WestMinCom commander Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan; the officers [and enlisted] personnel of the 11th Infantry Division led by its commander Major General William Gonzales; mga kababayan.

Before I read the prepared speech, I just like to say something from my heart. One is that, well, I am disappointed that I could not go to the hospital. There are times with so many restrictions, I cannot — I would not have to visit the wounded soldiers. But just the same, please convey to them — kung naririnig nila — my profound gratitude for their service to the country.

To you, the men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, I would like to tell you that I am here — not really to protect wrongdoings because I will not also do that — but you have my full support in everything that we do, which I think is the best for the country and for the rest of the Philippines.

So we have a problem also here and I’d like to make a special mention to Sakur na ‘yung tulong mo sa gobyerno is imme — cannot be measured in terms of — except that we feel also that you are doing your best and for that you have my gratitude for helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines. [applause] Idol kita, Sakur.

Basahin ko na lang itong… Kawawa naman ‘yung gumawa nito baka na-o…

We just [celebrated] the start of 2021 a few weeks ago, yet the dangers we faced last year remain in the midst. We thus thank you, our brave so¬ldiers, for your unrelenting service to the nation during these difficult times.
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As I have — itong trabaho natin nandito ‘yung pandemic and yet we are securing the measures of government, protect them itong mga sa checkpoint, matrabaho talaga ‘yan. Alam ko na hirap ang pulis pati sundalo and yet nandiyan pa ‘yung pandemic.

Tapos, you know, Secretary Galvez, he is doing everything he can. Mabuti’t natapos na giprangkahan ko talaga sila. Ang sabi ko ipusta ko ‘yung presidency ko, walang graft ‘yan at si Secretary Galvez kilala ko. Para sa akin I was there in Marawi when we were fighting the Islamists and I saw in him the… Kaya noong pag-retire niya, kinuha ko. Tapos ngayon ito ibinigay ko sa kanya lahat, “Ikaw, ikaw lang ang magturo nito.”

Now, let me be very clear. Doon sa mga local governments, Sakur, wala akong objection kung magbili ang local government para iturok doon sa mga tao. Okay ‘yan. Walang inggitan ‘to, puro tayo gobyerno.

Ang akin lang is that kung ano man ang i-ano ninyo, i-vaccinate, just clear it with the FDA. Lahat naman dumadaan talaga diyan eh. So it’s a mandatory requirement. Other than that, I have nothing to do. That’s a requirement of law, sunod lang tayo. Wala kaming ano.

Ngayon, ‘yung akin para sa hindi ma — maserbisan ng local governments. So ‘yung lahat sabi ko una ‘yung mga mahirap. Iyon talagang mga mahirap na isang tuka, isang kahig. Unahin ko ‘yon pati ‘yung uniformed service kasi eh kung paano kung magkasakit itong lahat. Paano — how can we function a government with a sick soldier or policeman in your midst.

So ang sunod niyan is — mauna kayo. And if the Secretary Galvez would — sabihin ko sa kanya kasali na ‘yung pamilya ninyo. Magpunta ‘yung mag-inject sa mga kampo, tuturukan pati ‘yung mga anak ninyo.

So ito lahat libre ito. [applause] Libre ‘to. So that you would depend… Para hindi kayo mag-worry kung nandiyan na na ano kayang mangyari. Eh ano ito — this is a very vicious microbe.

At saka kaming lahat na karamihan sa mga kaklase ko, sa ka-batch ko, classmate ko, apat ang patay kasi matanda na. Kaya rin ako takot baka kasali na ako doon sa mag-expire sa aming Class ‘72 sa College of Law. Namamatay eh, diretso. So iyan ang… Pasensiya na kayo. I have to inject something.

To this day, terrorism and insurgency continue to plague our land, disrupting public order in the middle of a pandemic. Eh they are taking advantage of the situation.

Recently, many among your ranks offered their lives for our country. On behalf of a grateful nation, I convey my most profound sympathies to their grieving families, for they are the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of peace. For that, we will forever be grateful.

Sabi ko na nga wherever I go, pulis o military, do not ever worry na ‘yung anak ninyo. Ako ganoon rin eh, lumilipad ako, I go everywhere. Pumupunta rin ako ng kampo. I travel diyan sa untrodden, hindi ginagamit na daan, just to fulfill a duty as a President to be with the people. Trabaho ko ‘yan. At saka hindi naman ako babalik na. So ibinigay ko na — I am giving — I’m walking the extra mile to show to the people na ang gobyerno nandiyan at hindi sila iwanan.

The year ahead will bring our military many opportunities and challenges. Just remember that no matter how hard things may get, your government will always be there to support your family and your — the families by ensuring their well-being above else.

Itong ano V. Luna pati ‘yung Veterans, may 50 million each ‘yan. Ginawa ko ‘yan. Noon ewan ko. Ang PGH bibigyan ko 100 million a month ‘yan. Iyang 50 million sa V. Luna pati 50 million sa Veterans malaking bagay na ‘yan pati ‘yung dito sa ano — dito ‘yung hospitals — allied hospitals ninyo, binibigyan ko pati ‘yung V. Luna. ‘Di may isa pa but I am just waiting. I will buy it.

Alam mo pupunta ako doon, magsalita ako. Alam mo, Sakur, tayo hindi naman tayo nagpapa — either we — it’s a pretended — kung nagpe-pretend tayong mga elected officials o galing sa puso ‘yung serbisyo mo…

Punta ako doon, paglabas ko mga bata nagsabi, “Mayor, mayor…” Mayor-mayor ang — mayor — mayor naman talaga ang tawag sa akin. “Mayor, mayor,” so lumapit ako. Sabi ko, “Sino ito? Kayo, sino…?” Tinanong ko ‘yung mga matatanda. “Anak ito ng mga sundalo.” Diyan sa Zamboanga.

Tapos ‘yung isa may — gustong lumapit sa akin. Karga-karga siya, “Papa, papa, papa.” Ang bata na ano na may gulo tapos nagsisigawan tapos nakatingin sila sa akin. Iyong iba lumalapit, siya naman, “Papa, papa.” Kasi kinuha ko ‘yung bata. Sabi ko, “Sige, ako ang papa mo.” Sabi ko, “Saan…” “Ngayon, saan ang papa mo?” Sabi ko, “Saan ang papa nito?” Sabi sa Manila nagte-training. “Ang nanay?” Sabi nila nagte-training rin. Susmaryosep.

Sabi ko — kaya sabi ko kay Delfin na ‘yung mag-asawa kung maaari may isa talagang ma-assign diyan sa lugar even isa lang. Huwag na masyado ‘yang sundalo, pati ‘yung babae sundalo. Sabi ko at least sa mag-asawa may isa talaga na malapit. Give them an assignment na malapit doon sa pamilya because the children would need the love and care of a mother. Kaya sabi ko ilapit ninyo sila at least ang nanay makauwi doon sa bahay gabi-gabi. At least ang mga bata may makita.

So sabi ko sa kanya, “Sige ‘nak, bukas ipasyal kita. Punta ka ng Davao.” Dalhin ko sana sa eroplano pero hindi man nakadamit nang husto. Kinabukasan, inilipad sa Davao. Then ‘pag pinunta — sabi ko, “Punta kayo ng Malacañan. I-blow out ko kayo doon.” Just — na ano ako sa bata, ‘yung… Sabi ko, “Sige…”

Sabi ‘yung isa naman, kapatid, sige “papa, papa.” Iyang — ‘yang… Puwede ba na huwag ninyo munang pabuntisan ‘yang mga asawa ninyo? I-spacing mo lang. Pero at least ang sinabi ko the solution there is it would be the mother who would — who should be assigned nearest para makauwi at makita ng mga bata ang nanay nila. Importante talaga ‘yan. So pumayag naman si DND. Sabi ko, “Del, gusto ko ‘yan ang mangyari.”

Today, I am deeply honored to join you in recognizing the extraordinary heroism of the officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who showed exemplary heroism in the face of danger.

Nga pala, iyong baril ninyo na nakuha na kaka — inyo na ‘yan ha. Hindi issue ‘yan. That’s yours. Glock ‘yan pati ‘yung .45. Eh ‘yung akin Glock. Maganda rin — maganda ang Glock kasi maintenance-free. Tapon mo iyan diyan sa…

Ako ‘yung — may isa akong baril nasa kotse. Diyan lang sa ilalim ng rubber mat ilalagay ko ‘yon, it’s a Glock. Wala akong problema. No rust, no nothing, kakaunti lang. At saka huwag mong — ‘yung ano lang, ‘yung maggawa kayo ng — magkuha kayo ng drop — dropper sa mata. Maski iyan na lang o anything that has to do with a suction. Ang ano niyan is…

Wala kayong CNN dito? Ah CNN — ah Internet? Wala, hindi umabot? O doon sa guns on how to ‘yung — marami diyan sa… Mag-ano kayo. Doon maturuan kayo kung papaano. Simple lang, small drops of oil. Huwag mong… Or if you really want, kagaya ng ‘yung .45, you have to oil it but wipe dry hanggang wala ng ma… Pero ‘yung Glock na nabigay, maganda ‘yan. Rekomendado ko ‘yan. Ma ano nga pala ‘yan.

They will be conferred with the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kamagi, which I hope will further inspire the rest of our men and women in the AFP to continue serving our country no matter the cost.

Ako, hindi ako nagpapa — tawag sa Bisaya “nagpapa-hero.” Nothing of the sort. I am just also a government worker like you, lahat naman tayo.

Let me take this opportunity to commend the brave men and women of Joint Task Force Sulu and the 11th Infantry Division for their recent gains against the Abu Sayyaf Group. Your determination has greatly reduced their strength in the past year.

Same, outside of Jolo ‘yung — itong mga Abu Sayyaf, we have the communists. And they are — we are giving them a bloody nose. So I hope na by — pag-alis ko, at least man lang na it can be reduced considerably the — itong kap****** ng mga komunista.

To our troops, I say this [to you] at a very opportune time since we are about to mark the second year of the bombing of the Cathedral of Our Lady of [Mt.] Carmel on January 27.

Our presence here is an assurance that we will not just honor those who have perished in this tragedy. We will also do everything in our power to prevent similar acts of cowardice and violence so that our people will never experience them again.

Our presence here is an assurance that we will not just honor those who have perished in this tragedy. We will also do everything within our power to prevent similar acts of violence in this country.

Our progress as a nation has been hindered by the insurgency and terrorism for several decades, dekada.

This is the reason why I have nothing but high praises and respect for all of you who are taking the risk to deter those who disrupt the peace of our country.

As we march onwards this new year, I am hopeful that we will continue to eliminate these terrorist groups in Sulu for good. With your support, I remain confident that we will prevail over the challenges that confront us. Be assured that the entire Filipino people is behind you as you secure genuine and lasting change for our motherland.

Ako talaga, mahal ko ang bayan ko. Ganito lang ako. Mahal ko talaga ang bayan ko. Kay kung bayan ang pag-usapan, kapakanan na ng bayan — and to everybody, to the communists, to the Abu Sayyaf, non com — hindi ako puwede diyan, I will not compromise. Kaya ‘yan si Sison, noon sabi ko, “Mag-uwi ka.” Ngayon, I’m not in the mood of welcoming him home.

So tapos na ‘yung… Tatlo lang… Ah, ituloy na lang natin. Maraming salamat at mabuhay kayong lahat. [applause]

Para sa mga NPA, talagang galit ako diyan sa kanila. Galit na galit talaga ako. Marami na ‘yan silang pinatay. Ang half brother ng tatay ko, kumain sila sa bahay, pagkatapos binaril pa sa bunganga ‘yung…

Kaya ‘yan si Inday kasi noong nagpunta kami doon sa bahay, she was about 14? 15? Or 16? Basta hindi — about 16. Nakita niya ‘yung patay eh, naka ganoon. May mga pagkain. Brutal masyado. Kakain ka tapos patayin mo. Kaya galit talaga ako sa mga p***** i**** ‘yan.

Iyan si Inday — kita mo Inday, eh ‘di ngayon. Lt. colonel na ba si Inday, Bong? [Senator Bong Go: Full colonel] Full colonel na. Bilib… Bilib… Ako hindi man lang ako binigyan ng maski honorary corporal. [laughter] P***** i**. Iyon — iyon ang… Mas matindi ‘yan, maniwala kayo sa akin. Mas matindi ‘yan.

Buti’t na lang sabi sa… Sabi ko nga ayaw ko magtakbo ‘yung anak ko kasi naaawa ako sa dadaanan niya. Iyong atakihin, babuyin ka, iba-ibang sektor, may mga sundalo. So naaawa ako sa kanya, sabi ko, “huwag.”

But anyway, ako, I will serve you to the very ends of my term kung paabutin — if I reach the finish line. Pero itong… Nagpaplano akong dagdag… Mag-usap tayo, Del. Kasi iyong sana bilhin natin sa… Magbili pa ako ng ano… May project ako ng ilang… Itong sa… Iyong…

Marami pa ba ‘yang Huey na ‘yan? Naiwan? Hindi, palitan ko na sana. Wala ng… Maano na talaga ‘yan, luma na. Maski na sabihin mong ano — maintenance ano. The theory kasi, if you are a pilot… I used to fly once. Noong bata ako, lumilipad ako.

The theory is an airplane can fly forever but theory lang ‘yan, with good maintenance, kung mi-maintain mo ‘yung makina. Pero maski ‘yung mga piloto dito, ‘yung every time mag — i-pressurize na ‘yung eroplano, ‘yung eroplano nagaburot ‘yan, nag-e-expand ‘yan nang kaunti. Tapos ganoon.

Every time mag-take off, pressure tapos i-decompression. So ‘yang isang — minsan sumasabog o minsan talaga iyong ano… Tignan ko kung baka makabili ako ng iilan para pangpalit diyan sa Huey na ‘yan. [applause]

Magpabili siguro ako ng mga anim, pito, okay na ‘yung pampalit sa ano, iyong Huey cargo. Mayroon — mayroon kasi doon deal. Hindi lang natuloy eh. Tatanungin ko si… Hindi naman ako…

Well, anyway, that is my next project sa… Bibili ako ng mga helicopters to — para sa mga… Sayang ang buhay. At saka puwede pa naman natin remedyohan sa Bisaya. Eh kung may remedyo diyan, if it can be remedied, we will.

I am not making any hard promises. But you can rest assured, I will try my best to look for money para palitan ko ‘yung mga luma na. Sumasakay rin ako niyan eh. So a lot of… Noon. Iyong mayor ako, hindi man ako nakakasakay ng iyong ginagamit ko ngayon. Iyong… Iyang vin… Ano pa ‘yan Vietnam vintage.

But anyway, these are all things screwing my mind kasi ‘yung recent crash, masaktan ka talaga. Kung wala kang koneksyon sa gobyerno, okay lang. But sa kagaya ko, ako ‘yung parang administrador ng bayan tapos ganoon ang nangyari, masakit para sa akin.

You just don’t know the pain that I suffer every time that iyong… Tanungin mo ‘yang si Bong, pagdating ko ng briefer gabi-gabi, iyong journal na anong pangyayari for the day. Ang una kong binibigay ni Bong front page. Tingnan ko ilang sundalo ang namatay ngayon. Then wala na, sira na ang… Magkain ako, okay lang. Kung hindi pa ako nakakain, sira na. Wala na akong gana. Sabagay hindi naman ako pumapayat pero it louses up the day for me.

So rest assured, soldiers of the Republic, I really love you and I love the way that you are serving the country.

And in return, I also… Sa ‘pag ano ninyo na mahal ko kayo at maghanap ako ng paraan sa helicopter na ‘yan.

Maraming salamat po. [applause]

— END —

Source: PCOO-NIB (News and Information Bureau-Data Processing Center)