President Rodrigo Duterte in his final State of the Nation Address on Monday appealed for free legal assistance for soldiers and police officers at risk of charges due to their work -- a testament to his close affinity to men in uniform.
Duterte, who raised the salaries of uniformed personnel during his term and relied heavily on retired generals for the country's COVID-19 pandemic response, said it was "high time" to pass a law providing free legal help to law enforcers who are facing charges due to their line of duty.
"It is also high time for us to pass a law providing free legal assistance to AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police) officers, enlisted personnel to help them from charges arising from incidents related to the performance of official duty," Duterte said.
Duterte also asked Congress to provide a unified system for the retirement pay and pension of uniformed personnel but noted that the policy would only cover new entrants.
"I am asking Congress to pass a unified system of separation, retirement and, pension of military and uniform personnel to maintain government fiscal flexibility and provide adequate benefits and remuneration to our men and women in uniform," he said.
Duterte, whose centerpiece program is a bloody war on drugs, is seeking to institutionalize legal help for law enforcers following years of controversy over "nanlaban" narratives and allegations of state-sponsored killings.
In different speeches throughout his presidency, Duterte had repeatedly assured soldiers and police officers of his protection and support as long as their actions are in line with their duty.