Army soldiers and government militiamen, who are injured in gun battles with enemies of the state, are entitled to financial assistance from the Office of the President.

PFC Charlie Agregado, a member of the 11 th Infantry Battalion, and CAFGU member Alexander Temperatura, Thursday received P100,000 cash as financial assistance from Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs Danilo Cortez, for major wounds they incurred during encounters with New People's Army rebels in the hinterlands of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, on June 18 and Nov. 20, 2010.

The Special Financial Assistance is taken from the President's Social Fund and its objective is to recognize the heroism and raise the morale of Army and CAFGU personnel, who are either killed or injured in military operations, Major Enrico Gil Ileto, spokesman of the 3 rd Infantry Division, said.

CAFGU member Joseph Tejaras also received P50,000 for minor wounds he sustained in an encounter with rebels in Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on November 20, 2010.

The giving of SFA by Malacañang to government soldiers, either killed or injured in encounters with enemies of the state, started in 2001.

However, the amounts were raised from P100,000 to P250,000 for soldiers killed-in-action in October 2007; P50,000 to P100,000 for those who sustain major injuries; while those who incur minor injuries will receive P50,000, Ileto said.

He said the fund releases from the PSF is based on the official lists of casualties and beneficiaries submitted by the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., commander of the Army's 3 rd Infantry Division, said the financial support and recognition of the heroism of those killed and injured in line of duty, will boost the morale of the soldiers, and motivate them to do the best they can in serving the country.

The awarding of financial assistance to Negrense soldier and two CAFGU members was held yesterday at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.* GPB

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