ISANG RETIRADONG AIR FORCE NAGING PALABOY MATAPOS KUNIN NG KANYANG MGA KAMAG-ANAK ANG KANYANG MONTHLY PENSION!

Being a soldier is one of the hardest jobs one could ever have. In fact, soldiers are often considered the unsung heroes in any society for laying their lives on the line to protect the country from external dangers. And too be forgotten – by living in decrepit conditions when one is a retired soldier – is not something civilians should accord to these heroes.

On the Facebook page of All About the Philippines, the heartbreaking story of one retiree turned viral after photos showed the old man squalidly living on the streets as if he’s uncared for and homeless. Further investigation showed otherwise. According to Manila Channel, the man is identified as Narciso dela Cruz Alpas, a retired Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel with the rank of staff sergeant (SSg).

Alpas, or ‘Tatay Isok’ as he’s fondly called, was enlisted with PAF. He began his illustrious career by being assigned to 356 Engineering Squadron (ES) of the 355th Aviation Engineering Wing (AEW). Said division handles the planning, maintenance, and construction of airways and other infrastructure deemed of high importance by the government. Reports said that Tatay Isok was with the 730 Combat Group in Nasugbu, Batangas before he was designated as part of the 710 Special Operation Wing (SPOW). Note that SPOW is comprised of the elite fighters in PAF.

Moreover, the best force under PAF is tasked with coordinating air strikes, explosives disposal, operations and training of canine units and their respective handlers. The SPOW unit is the front-liner in dealing with hostile elements and civilian mass actions. But gone were the days when Tatay Isok risked his life for his fellow Filipino because nowadays, he’s left to his own devices – something risky for a man who seemed to be slowly losing his mind. According to a certain unnamed individual, the retired soldier ‘s monthly pensions were reportedly claimed by his relatives. According to Executive Order 76, as SSg, he’s supposed to receive a total of Php27,997.50, broken down as follows: base pay of Php18,665.00 plus the long pay of Php9,332.50.

Fortunately, thanks to social media, his comrades at PAF noticed the call for help for Tatay Isok. According to the Facebook post of PAF, they took him out of the streets in Antique, and he was handed over to the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Moreover, the PAF will be handling further arrangements to ensure that Tatay Isok lives a comfortable life – befitting of a hero.