President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the immediate suspension of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Complete Disability Discharge (CDD) policy following public outcry over the case of Captain Jerome Jacuba, a Scout Ranger who was discharged after losing his sight in a 2016 bombing incident.
In a video message released on Monday, Marcos said he was deeply moved after seeing Jacuba’s viral post announcing his separation from service.
“Nung nakita ko yung video niya at pinag-isipan ko yung mga nangyari sa kanya ay parang hindi tama. Dahil ito ay isang piskal 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,” Marcos said.
Jacuba, who sustained total blindness during a combat operation in Maguindanao, was earlier issued a CDD, preventing him from continuing his military career because he was deemed unfit for combat.
Marcos ordered the AFP Chief of Staff to reinstate Jacuba to active duty and grant him a spot promotion to the rank of Major, citing his bravery and 15 years of experience in the military.
He also directed the AFP to assign Jacuba to positions involving “major adaptive duties,” stressing that disability should not automatically disqualify a soldier from meaningful service.
“Kasi kahit nabulag na po marami pa rin duty na pwedeng gawin ng isang sundalo. Lalong lalo na sa isang sundalo na may 15 years na experience. Maraming may dadagdag at may tutulong sa atin yan,” the President said.
Alongside Jacuba’s reinstatement, Marcos instructed Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to conduct a full review of the CDD policy, which automatically discharges service members who can no longer join combat operations.
“Ininstruction ko rin ang ating Secretary of National Defense na pag-aralan ulit itong polisiya natin para hindi naman mangyari ulit ito na ang isang sundalo natin na nasaktan dahil sa sakripisyo niya, dahil ginagawa niya ang duty niya para ipagtanggol ang Pilipinas, ay basta pagka nasaktan, ay basta bibitawan na lang natin,” he added.
The President emphasized the need for reforms to ensure that soldiers injured in the line of duty are not “simply released” despite their sacrifices.
“Kaya gagawa po tayo ng bagong polisiya sa CDD sa lalong madaling panahon. Ito ay para sa lahat ng ating mga sundalo na dahil sa kaduty nila sila ay nasaktan, sila ay nagka-injury, ay dapat naman ipatuloy din ang ating pagkilala sa kanilang katapangan at sa kanilang sakripisyo. Kaya ito po ang pagbabago na gagawin natin,”
Jacuba’s case has resonated with many Filipinos. In 2016, after the explosion that left him blind, then-president Rodrigo Duterte was seen embracing the young officer in an emotional encounter.
Jacuba once again drew national attention after his recent discharge announcement went viral, which triggered widespread criticism of the AFP’s disability policies.
Marcos said revisions to the CDD policy would be drafted “as soon as possible” to guarantee continued recognition and support for wounded service members.
In a social media post, Jacuba thanked Marcos for bringing him back into the service.
