Honest Soldiers

      Major Senorio Laspias and S/Sgt Antero Aurita were commended for honesty after they returned worth P100,000.00 excess of withdrawals to a bank in Cagayan de Oro City. Major General Cardoso Luna, Chief of the 4th In Div issued the commendations to both soldiers and described their honesty as something other military men should emulate.

      As disbursing and finance officers respectively, Maj Laspias and S/Sgt Aurita withdrew money from Land Bank last December 5, 2005. Upon counting the money on their way back to Bukidnon, the two discovered that the teller mistakenly gave them an excess of P100,000.00 which prompted them to immediately go back and return the money.

      Money is often alluded to as the root of all evil; but in this instance, the two soldiers showed that handling of money can be an occasion to prove ones integrity. Indeed, it was a demonstration of an exemplary act of honesty worthy of public emulation.

      To these kinds of soldiers that we give bow and salute. Not only do we honor those who sacrificed their lives on the line of duty, we also put actions like this in high regard. It is to this kind of deed that we are moved and inspired. It is through actions like this that the peoples confidence in the AFP is strengthened; not the actions of those who pretend to be the peoples heroes.

      Maj Las Pias, S/Sgt Aurita and more like them in the AFP acted as true soldiers that they are. The AFP takes pride that this moral value is imbibed in our soldiers.