Marilyn Cahatol

Members of the Philippine Army Special Forces stand at attention during the celebration of the 126th Philippine Army Founding Anniversary in Fort Bonifacio,  Taguig City on March 22, 2023.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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PH ARMY

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has instructed Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to review a policy on discharging soldiers who become completely disabled during their line of duty, saying they could still be productive and serve the military despite their condition.</p><p>This came after Philippine Army Capt. Jerome Jacuba was given a complete disability discharge (CDD) and was separated from the military supposedly because he could no longer serve after he was blinded in combat.</p><p>In a Facebook post, Jacuba said his military service ended last Nov. 30.</p><p>“Na-discharge ako because of my disability. I was totally blind. Nasabugan ako ng bomba,” the soldier said.</p><p>But in a video statement released this Monday, the President said he already told Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Romeo Brawner, Jr. to suspend Jacuba’s disability discharge as this was neither right nor justified.</p><p>“Ito ay isang opisyal na itinaya na nga niya ang buhay niya para sa duty niya, para ipagtanggol ang Pilipinas at dahil sa ganyan ay basta’t bibitawan na lang natin. Hindi naman ata makatarungan yan,” he said.</p><p>Marcos Jr. said the Army captain should also be promoted to the rank of major for his bravery.</p><p>“Maghanap tayo ng iba’t ibang posisyon na puwede pa naman siya. Yung ating tinatawag na adaptive duties. Kahit na bulag na, marami pang duty na puwedeng gawin ang isang sundalo lalong-lalo na sa sundalo na may 15 years na experience,” he said.</p><p>He said the policy review was to ensure that similar situations would not happen in the future and the CDD would be improved.</p><p>“Ginagawa niya ang duty niya para ipagtanggol ang Pilipinas. Pagka nasaktan ay basta bibitawan na lang natin? Hindi naman tama yun kaya gagawa tayo ng bagong polisiya sa CDD sa lalong madaling panahon,” he said.</p><p>“Dapat patuloy ang ating pagkilala sa kanilang katapangan at kanilang sakripisyo. Kaya ito ang pagbabago na gagawin natin,” he added.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/1/marcos-jr-to-newly-commissioned-afp-officers-be-loyal-to-ph-not-factions-1242">Marcos Jr. to newly-commissioned AFP officers: Be loyal to PH, not factions</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>WHAT JACUBA SAID</strong></div><p>In an emotional video posted on his social media, Jacuba thanked the troops and the support of his followers given his condition.</p><p>Despite being blind, he promised to continue serving the country, saying it was an honor and privilege to serve as a soldier.</p><p>“Ako ay pumasok na sundalo — buo, kumpleto. Pero ngayon, lumabas ako na wala nang paningin subalit ang sabi ko, hindi nawala ang aking paningin, ibinigay ko lang ito sa ating bansa,” Jacuba said in a Facebook video.</p><p>Jacuba said he did something for the Philippines by doing his duty as a soldier: “May silbi ang aking pagkabulag.”</p><p>“Kahit anong nangyari sakin, hindi ko pinagsisisihan. Kahit ako ay bigyan muli ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo muli sa aking bayan, pipiliin ko pa rin maging sundalo,” he said.</p><p>“Kahit wala akong nakikita, gagawin ko pa rin ang aking makakaya para mapagtapos kayo sa pag-aaral at maabot niyo ang inyong pangarap balang araw,” the soldier told his daughter in the video.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/30/group-of-generals-flag-officers-condemns-call-for-afp-to-withdraw-support-from-marcos-jr-0804">Group of generals, flag officers condemns call for AFP to withdraw support from Marcos Jr.</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lISpDgMOKV0?si=YpBF1HCKq3r5YlMI" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has instructed Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to review a policy on discharging soldiers who become completely disabled during their line of duty, saying they could still be productive and serve the military despite their condition.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has instructed Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to review a policy on discharging soldiers who become completely disabled during their line of duty, saying they could still be productive and serve the military despite their condition.

‘Dapat patuloy ang pagkilala’: Marcos Jr. tells DND to review policy on complete disability discharge for soldiers

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‘Dapat patuloy ang pagkilala’: Marcos Jr. tells DND to review policy on complete disability discharge for soldiers

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 01, 2025 05:54 PM PHT

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Philippine Army Capt. Jerome Jacuba

Philippine Army

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr

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