Airport VIP Lounge for cops, soldiers

City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte requested the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) to allocate funds for the establishment of a VIP Lounge at the Davao City International Airport (DIA) for soldiers and police officers.

Duterte said food, drinks, and amenities of the facility should be available for the soldiers and cops for free, especially those who are travelling on a mission while waiting for their flights.

"Our soldiers and cops are only doing their jobs and they may be driven by other motivations when they joined the service, but for all their sacrifices for us, for what they are

doing for our country, they deserve a little show of recognition and appreciation," Duterte said in a statement.

He added that the fight of the Duterte administration against terrorism and its war on illegal drugs allowed the people to see the immensity of the sacrifice of soldiers and members of the police in defense of the country's future, security, freedom, and the Philippine Constitution.

Duterte said the attacks of the Maute group in Marawi City served as a reminder on how unsafe the people are, which also confirmed that there are people who are willing to die and defend the country.

He said in other battles, soldiers are also fighting against the NPA while other police officers are focused on the crackdown of illegal drugs.

"Let me extend my sincere admiration and express my gratitude to the members of the military and the police for their sacrifices and acts of heroism," the vice mayor said. (KVC)