MANILA, Philippines — After surviving a five-month harrowing battle with extremists in Marawi, it’s time for soldiers to de-stress via R&R — rest and recreation, or rest and recuperation, or rock and roll — or all three, maybe.
President Rodrigo Duterte said he had fulfilled his promise of treating government troopers abroad — in Japan, for top military officers, and in Hong Kong, for female soldiers.
After arriving from Tokyo Tuesday night, Oct. 31, the chief executive disclosed that he had brought with him to Japan the military’s “top commanders.”
“I just invited them for a respite…I just brought them to unwind. At least they have time for sight-seeing,” the President said.
Duterte jested that he didn’t allow the commanders go to Hong Kong with the female soldiers as that could spell trouble.
“Eh hindi nila kailangan punta ng Hong Kong kasama ‘yong mga babae. Naloko na,” he said.
The female soldiers made their trip to Hong Kong much earlier and had already returned, according to the President.
“Nag-asawa na nga ang iba pagbalik eh [The others have gotten married already when they returned],” Duterte joked.
The President added that Cebu Pacific shouldered the airfare expenses for the Hong Kong trip, while he spent for the female soldiers’ allowances and hotel accommodations.
“It was Cebu Pacific who answered for…sabi niya, ‘Sige, ako na lang ang — iyo na lang ang baon pati hotel.'”
