During his visit to the headquarters of the 9th Infantry Division in Camp Elias Angeles in Pili, Camarines Sur, Yano said the Philippine Army is prioritizing the medical needs of soldiers who were wounded in action to minimize fatalities in their ranks.

He said the absence of well-equipped and well-manned military hospitals near battlefields is the common cause of death among wounded Army personnel.

"We will bring that (wounded) soldier in the best and nearest hopsital in the locality, regardless of his rank," Yano emphasized.

According to Yano, the Philippine Army has allocated a P2-million standby medical fund for the 1st Infantry Division in Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur which, at present, has the biggest number of casualties as result of the ongoing military offensives against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu and Basilan islands.

Yano said the other nine infantry divisions of the Philippine Army will each receive a P500,000 standby medical fund.

"He should not die because of lack of medical attention. We should exert all our best effort to help him survive," the Army chief said.

Once the soldier’s condition improves, Yano said he will be taken to the Armed Forces Medical Center (formerly V. Luna Hospital) in Quezon City or the Philippine Army General Hospital in Fort Bonifacio where he will undergo further medical treatment.