President Duterte has encouraged the country’s soldiers to practice responsible family planning, saying having three children is enough.
The President directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines sergeant majors to teach responsible parenthood to the troops amid concerns some have difficulty raising a large family.
“You should also teach them family planning talaga. I-program ‘yan,” the President said during a dinner meeting with the AFP Council of Sergeant Majors in Malacañang Tuesday night.
“Ang average soldier the most dapat tatlo. Boundary talaga ‘yang dalawa ano na ‘yan. Lalo na kung may babae at lalake na, tama na,” he added.
Duterte even said in jest he would cut off the soldier’s manhood if he keeps on having children beyond his means. He expressed concern that some soldiers with many children find it hard to provide basic needs such as education and healthcare.
“Kung walang pambayad sa ospital sa ika-walo na anak, bata putulin ko yung u**n mo. T*** i** mo, magpakatino ka nga dyan. Sumosobra,” he said, eliciting laughter from the military officers.
Duterte also said he empathizes with the widow and the children of a soldier who dies in the line of duty. “I pity the human being,” he said, adding the government must continue the program of providing livelihood and education assistance to the surviving military family.
Last month, the President issued an executive order on the full implementation of the reproductive health law in the country. The order seeks to accelerate the provision of funds and support for modern family planning in all poor households. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)