MANILA, Philippines - While observing a truce with communist rebels during the holidays, soldiers have been asked to wage war on another front – against lechon de leche.
“Be health conscious. Don’t eat too much lechon de leche (suckling pig), which leads to more cholesterol,” Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang told the troops on the sidelines of the AFP’s 79th anniversary at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.
Roasted pig is a popular Filipino dish during special occasions, particularly Christmas and New Year.
Catapang noted that persons with health issues are advised to eat lechon de leche in moderation to avoid heart and high-blood pressure complications.
The AFP chief also ordered the 125,000-strong military to be security conscious during the holidays.
“Be security conscious when you go malling with your families, or while driving your car around or reporting to your routine military duties,” Catapang said.
Catapang said the unilateral ceasefire, which started yesterday, only covers communist rebels.
He said there would be no letup in operations against the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and their lawless cohorts.