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The Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) headed by Ret. Col. Bonifacio G. De Gracia on Sunday declared its full support of President Duterte’s decision to place Mindanao under Martial Law.

This was part of his statement on Sunday in the recently concluded National Presidents’ Convention (CY-2017) participated in by the country’s veterans’ leaders from Regions 1 to 13, including Cordillera Administrative Region, NCR, Charter, and Affiliate Organizations of the government-owned and -controlled corporation.

De Gracia, speaking before veterans’ presidents, said that the President “(He) may not have been here physically, but we can greatly feel his presence and concerns about veterans. Through the power vested in him by the people, as head of the state, he has pushed for the expedition of AFP Retirees’ pension. And as of late, his decision to declare Mindanao under Martial Law is one of the best decisions ever for the welfare of the people.”

Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana was the guest of honor and speaker of the event hosted by the VFP which was also participated in by World War II veterans and their descendants.

The Secretary also quoted former President Carlos P. Garcia’s words spoken during the organization’s first ever National Convention in 1958 when he said, “Obstacles can never be overcome if the various organizations continue to exist serving their own individual ends and working, more often than not, at cross purposes.”

Part of Secretary Lorenzana’s message before the country’s veterans were, “VFP has its set of ups and downs, but it is the truth and unity that save you from all the trials such as the criminal case filed against the VFP that was formally dismissed by the Ombudsman last January 2016.”

He added that, “At the end, it is the truth and your genuine service to the veterans that prevailed.”

The Presidents’ Convention is a gathering of all presidents of the umbrella organization of the VFP which was chartered under Republic Act 2640 on June 18, 1960.

As part of the “100% Scheme” of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) became one of the several recipients of the Ambulance Donation Program on February 20, 2017.

After signing the important documents, VFP President Ret. Col. Bonifacio G. De Gracia, accompanied by VP-Operations William B. Esplana, VP-Administration Mannie A. Carreon, and Head Executive Assistant Ms. Annie C. Del Mar, met with PCSO GM Alexander Balutan, a retired Major General of the Philippine Marines Corps, at the PCSO Head Office – Sun Plaza Bldg. Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City to discuss the turning over of said unit.

VFP, as one of the government-owned and –controlled corporations, was among the several recipients that day. Among others were town mayors from different provinces of Regions 1 to 3 and hospitals from Regions IX to XIII.

“Our veterans would now enjoy a more expedient ambulatory care upon heading to the hospital of their choice, whenever an emergent situation arises,” President De Gracia said.

In truth, the VFP has been in much need of a functional ambulance as one of its top priorities is caring for the welfare and wellness of all veterans. With the ambulance unit in tow, the National Headquarters would have more confidence in delivering topnotch service to veterans whenever there are important events like the Supreme Council Regular Meeting, Liberation Days, and even Cluster Meetings within the parameters of the main office.

“We are very grateful for this donation, and we will make sure we take care and utilize this unit properly to the best of our knowledge and as mandated by our Federation,” President De Gracia added.

The PCSO ambulance unit is equipped with the facility good enough for health care that involves transporting patients from point A to point B, early detection of other medical complications, and early response to medical treatments while patients are in transit.