An honest soldier

Sgt. Raffy Braga, a 38-year-old Army personnel found checks amounting to 350K while he was on an errand in Fort Bonifacio last Feb. 26, 2014. Two pieces of paper was blown by the wind, and which he checked on later finding out were checks worth P182,702.73 and 165,506.06 which are both payable to a Manila Company. Army Spokesman LTC Noel Detoyato, contacted the Landbank through another senior non-commissioned officer who coordinated with the bank to identify the owner of the checks.

The issued checks belonged to Manila Water as identified by the Landbank. Landbank informed the company that it was a soldier who found the checks and turned it over to the rightful owner. There had been previous occasions wherein soldiers found cash and checks which were properly returned.

With some military personnel (erring cadets & officers) being criticized recently, Sgt. Braga earned the respect of his colleagues and moreso the people for his act of honesty. Surely, he never entertained thoughts of keeping the checks.

There was an officer who  was caught recently by the PNP Anticybercrime Group and the Cabanatuan City Police and charged with robbery-extortion. There maybe some wrongdoers but majority of soldiers are true and well-meaning soldier like Sgt Braga. Honest soldiers continue to make the Armed Forces proud. – Sam C. Sumera, Cabanatuan City