Manila Bulletin
Palace finds 'nothing wrong' with Duterte bringing along retiring military and police in foreign travels
Palace finds 'nothing wrong' with Duterte bringing along retiring military and police in foreign travels
Palace finds 'nothing wrong' with Duterte bringing along retiring military and police in foreign travels
By AJ Siytangco
Published Aug 28, 2018 05:49 pm
By Genalyn Kabiling
Malacañang found nothing wrong with President Duterte's plan to bring along retiring military and police officials to his upcoming foreign travel.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
(RESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said including these officials to the President’s delegation was “part of gesture of appreciation” for their government service. Nonetheless, Roque said these military and police officers are still expected to have an "official agenda" on strengthening security cooperation with their counterparts abroad during the foreign trip. "Nothing wrong. I think, strengthening security cooperation is one of the matters that will really be discussed in the Middle East as well," Roque said during a Palace press briefing. "Obviously, for security personnel, a trip to Israel would entail collaborating and mingling with security forces of Israel in order for our men in uniform to benefit from the experience of Israel, particularly in their drive against extremism and terrorism," he added. President Duterte earlier revealed that he will take retiring military and police officials to his visit to Israel and Jordan next month as a "gift" for "serving the country well." Sen. Panfilo Lacson however said every presidential visit abroad should have a purpose better than just being a gift to a government official. Lacson added that rewards also come in the form of "promotions, awards, even a pat on the back." Roque said the government was expected to shoulder the travel expenses of these military and police officials accompanying the President. "They are still active members of the military, so it will be the government who will spend for it," he said. "It’s always cost-benefit. And of course, the benefit outweighs the cost," he said when asked how the Palace would reconcile the President's earlier reluctance to travel abroad due to huge costs and his decision to add policemen and military officers to his trip. The President is scheduled to make an official visit to Israel on September 2 to 5, then proceed to Jordan as part of efforts to promote better diplomatic relations.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque(RESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said including these officials to the President’s delegation was “part of gesture of appreciation” for their government service. Nonetheless, Roque said these military and police officers are still expected to have an "official agenda" on strengthening security cooperation with their counterparts abroad during the foreign trip. "Nothing wrong. I think, strengthening security cooperation is one of the matters that will really be discussed in the Middle East as well," Roque said during a Palace press briefing. "Obviously, for security personnel, a trip to Israel would entail collaborating and mingling with security forces of Israel in order for our men in uniform to benefit from the experience of Israel, particularly in their drive against extremism and terrorism," he added. President Duterte earlier revealed that he will take retiring military and police officials to his visit to Israel and Jordan next month as a "gift" for "serving the country well." Sen. Panfilo Lacson however said every presidential visit abroad should have a purpose better than just being a gift to a government official. Lacson added that rewards also come in the form of "promotions, awards, even a pat on the back." Roque said the government was expected to shoulder the travel expenses of these military and police officials accompanying the President. "They are still active members of the military, so it will be the government who will spend for it," he said. "It’s always cost-benefit. And of course, the benefit outweighs the cost," he said when asked how the Palace would reconcile the President's earlier reluctance to travel abroad due to huge costs and his decision to add policemen and military officers to his trip. The President is scheduled to make an official visit to Israel on September 2 to 5, then proceed to Jordan as part of efforts to promote better diplomatic relations.