Aquino tells soldiers: Heart and courage are your weapons

(Updated 4:11 p.m.) President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III told soldiers Friday he hopes "heart and courage" will be their weapons in dealing with the challenges facing the Armed Forces, including the 'depletion' of the calamity fund. "Kung tatawagin kayo [para rumesponde sa kalamidad], puso at tapang ang magiging kasangkapan niyo dahil sa kakapusan ng pondo, (If they call upon you during calamities, heart and courage should be your weapons because of the lack of funds)," Aquino said during the turnover rites for new Army chief Maj. Gen. Arturo Ortiz in Fort Bonifacio. "Halos nilimas na ang pondo na sana dapat ay magagamit sana natin sa darating na panahon (They almost used up all the funds which we could have used in the future)," Aquino said. "Hindi na po tayo papayag na magpatuloy ang ganitong kalakaran (We will no longer continue with this kind of system)," he added. Despite the shortage of funds, the President said he was confident the Philippine military can hurdle the difficulties the organization would face during combat operations, disaster response, and other situations. He praised the military for always being at the forefront of helping people, despite their limited budget. Aquino also promised the soldiers that his administration would prioritize providing better equipment for them. "Hindi ako mag-aatubiling tulungan ang inyong hanay (I will not hesitate to help your ranks)," he said. "We will respond to your needs basta naaayon sa ikauunalad ng bayan at para sa professionalism... para sa lahat at hindi sa iilan lamang (We will respond to your needs as long as it is for the good of the country and for professionalism)," he said. Enemies of the state Meanwhile, Ortiz vowed to go after the enemies of the state. "We shall not stop in going after the elements wanting to sow violence in our country. We will go after all armed groups that threat our people and our democratic way of life," he said. "We will do this while recognizing and respecting the peace initiatives of our government. And in the accomplishment of this mission, we should always respect and uphold human rights and we will do our best to avoid collateral damage," he added. Army troops are involved in the campaign against the New People's Army, a faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements in the country. The troops are also into humanitarian and civic missions, particularly during natural disasters. — VVP/RSJ, GMANews.TV