MANILA -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday dismissed rumors that military personnel are demoralized with the government's handling of the West Philippine Sea issue.
"No, hindi (they are not) demoralized, pumunta lang kayo sa (just go to the) field. Mataas ang morale ng mga sundalo (Our soldiers' morale are high). Nire-report sa akin na talagang (It was reported to me) they are doing their best to protect our country," he added.
He said West Philippine Sea is another problem but troops are doing their best to perform their mandate.
"Ngayon yung (Now, the) West Philippine Sea is another problem yan eh, another issue yan but dito sa loob (that is another issue but internally), our soldiers' morale is high and they are doing their best to protect our people," he added.
Lorenzana earlier dismissed reports made by Magdalo Partylist Rep. Gary Alejano claiming that President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the military to stop its patrols in the West Philippine Sea.
"Wala (None), there was no (such) order whatsoever, nung, kahit nung (even in) 2016," Lorenzana stressed.
The DND chief added that the President never even made a hint on the matter.
"Hindi, at saka hindi niya ginawa ‘yan (No, he did not do it), he did not even hint or he did not do it, he did not even hint that they stop patrolling, kaya regular tayo dyan eh, regular, yung eroplano kung masama ang panahon hindi kami (nagpa-patrol), pero pagka maganda (ang panahon) ikot nang ikot yung ating eroplano dyan (We conduct regular patrols there. Our planes do not patrol when the weather is bad. But if the weather is fine, our planes are regularly conducting patrols there)," he stressed.
Lorenzana said it is the AFP's mandate to protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. (PNA)
