Cops shell out P50 each to raise funds for typhoon victims

MANILA, Philippines–After forgoing its traditional Christmas festivities, the 148,000-member Philippine National Police on Thursday said it would raise at least P7.7 million in cash donation for the victims of Typhoon “Pablo” in the Davao region.

“After due consultation with all the 148,000 rank and file members of the PNP, we all decided that each of us will donate P50 which will be deducted from our monthly salary,” outgoing PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome told reporters.

Bartolome disclosed the PNP’s fund drive shortly after Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II announced that Deputy Director General Alan Purisima would succeed Bartolome as head of the national police force.

Besides the policemen, Bartolome said the 6,000 non-uniformed personnel of the PNP had also pledged to contribute P50 each for the typhoon victims.

“This is our own little way of helping our countrymen in Mindanao who are suffering from the effects of ‘Pablo,’” he said.

On Tuesday, Bartolome directed all police units nationwide to cancel their Christmas parties and instead donate the savings they would generate to provide assistance to communities ravaged by the typhoon which, to date, has claimed around 900 lives and destroyed billions in agriculture, infrastructure and property.