Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gave a memorable reward to the top military officers who served in Marawi for 5 long months following the ISIS attacks and threats. The president allowed some top commanders to join him on his recent visit to Japan late last October.
“I just invited them for a respite…At least they have time for sight-seeing,” said Duterte.
This was not the first time the president brought along law enforcers in his trip abroad. Before the Marawi crisis, he had retiring military and police officers with him in his Russia trip. He said that this gesture of gratitude for their service is not a junket. The travel was of course cut short due to the eruption of chaos in Marawi.
According to Duterte, Cebu Pacific Airlines shouldered the airfare and the government provided for the hotel accommodations and allowance.
Duterte spent two days in Japan to meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japanese businessmen, and Emperor Akihito on the last day.
Among the topics discussed was Japan’s official development assistance to rehabilitate Marawi.
Reference: Duterte brings top Marawi soldiers to Japan to ‘unwind’
