President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reinstated and spot-promoted Army Captain Jerome Jacuba—blinded in a grenade blast—to the rank of Major after he was previously forced to retire under a Complicated Disability Discharge (CDD).
Marcos Jr. said Jacuba, who lost his sight while on mission, should not have been released from service and directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff to suspend his CDD and process his promotion.
He also ordered the Department of National Defense to reform disability discharge policies to ensure all soldiers injured in the line of duty are properly recognized and not unfairly removed.
The President said Jacuba will be reassigned to adaptive duties suited to his 15 years of experience, stressing that wounded soldiers can still significantly contribute outside combat roles.
“Nung nakita ko ‘yung video niya at pinag-isipan ko ‘yung mga nangyari sa kanya ay parang hindi tama. Dahil 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 yata makatarungan yan,” the President said.IMT
