Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — If he succeeds in making a Senate comeback in 2022, Antonio Trillanes IV said he would push for the increase in the allowances of soldiers and policemen.
Trillanes, who is running for senator under the slate of Vice President Leni Robredo, said that that country’s security forces played a big role in the government’s efforts against COVID-19.
“Sa security sector reform, nais ulit nating bisitahin ang pag-increase ng benefits ng ating mga sundalo at pulis,” Trillanes said in a radio interview.
(In our security reform, we want to revisit the increase of benefits of our soldiers and policemen.)
Trillanes said he is eyeing to increase the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police’s Subsistence Allowance, Quarters Allowance, and the Combat Duty Pay.
“Noong una akong tumakbo noong 2007, nangako akong itataas ang sweldo, pension, at Subsistence Allowance ng mga sundalo at pulis. Kasama na rin dito ang pagpasa ng batas para sa AFP modernization. Lahat ng ito ay natupad sa loob ng aking dalawang termino,” he said.
(When I first ran in 2007, I promised I would increase the salary, pension, and Subsistence Allowance of soldiers and police. Also included is the aim to pass a law for AFP Modernization. All of this was done in my two terms.)
The former senator is proposing that the AFP and PNP quarters allowances be increased ranging from P5,000 to P15,000, depending on the rank.
At present, PNP personnel are receiving only from P400 up to P1,500 while the AFP are receiving from P1,600 to P3,000.
For combat duty pay of the personnel assigned in conflict areas, Trillanes seeks to increase it from P3,000 to 25% of their base pay.
He said that the current rates of these allowances do not reflect the present times and need to be increased to help personnel of the AFP and PNP cope with the rising costs of living.
Trillanes is currently seeking a fresh term in the Senate in the upcoming 2022 national elections.