PNP exec sacked over cops’ food pay

MANILA, Philippines—A budget officer of the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) in Camp Crame has been relieved over the delayed disbursement of food allowances for policemen deployed during the recently concluded papal visit.

Supt. Evangeline Martos, PSPG budget officer, was placed under administrative relief pending investigation of the allegations against her.

Philippine National Police officer in charge Deputy Director Gen. Leonardo Espina approved the relief of Martos and her reassignment to the administrative holding unit during the probe.

“Martos will also undergo precharge evaluation by the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management. An investigation into the alleged delay in disbursement of food provisions is still ongoing,” Espina said in a statement on Friday.

A policeman from the PSPG earlier accused his superiors of withholding the P2,400 meal allowance for policemen deployed for security duties during Pope Francis’ visit.

The controversy over the P2,400 allowance spawned complaints by policemen on Facebook, a social media website, who claimed they did not get the allowance or only a part of it. Others claimed being fed spoiled food.

However, the PNP said policemen were not supposed to have been issued individual meal allowances as the funds were devolved to commanders for food provisions of the troops.