Families of SAF44 receive P24.5M in gov’t benefits–PNP

Photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Families of the 44 slain Special Action Force (SAF) have received more than P24.5 million in benefits from the government, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. told reporters on Friday that the families of the fallen elite cops have received the benefits almost a month after the Jan. 25 carnage in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Cerbo said most of the benefits received so far by the families ranged around P541,770, with 13 of the 44 SAF troopers receiving this amount.

The benefits given to each family was determined by the policeman’s seniority and years in service, Cerbo added.

Each family also got P250,000 from the President’s Social Fund (PSF) as well.

From the National Police Commission, the families are supposed to receive burial and gratuity benefits as well as monthly pension for the widows of those married SAF policemen.

“These benefits will be given as due to the families. This is aside from the other help that other government agencies have promised,” Cerbo said.

Meanwhile, the 15 SAF commandos wounded in action received P1.19 million in assistance so far from the PSF and Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc. (SMBFI).

Four of the wounded – PO3 Rommel Magno, PO3 Ryan Temporada, PO2 Jovalyn Lozano, and PO2 Dominick Lukingan – suffered major injuries and received P100,000 from the PSF.

No confrontation

Meanwhile, Cerbo denied there was a confrontation between President Aquino and some of the families of the slain SAF troopers on Wednesday night.

Mr. Aquino went to Camp Crame that night to meet with the families to discuss their concerns.

The PNP spokesperson said the dialogue was designed to be a personal talk between the families and the President to allow for discussion and questions on the families’ concerns.

“I was there the whole time. I did not see or witness any shouting or confrontation. What I can say is, there was a free exchange. But I cannot identify any instance as a confrontation, no family raised their voice,’’ Cerbo said.

He added that President Aquino was very open and really wanted to hear the families’ concerns.

Cerbo noted that the gathering of the families, although stretching into the wee hours of the morning, allowed government agencies and private donors to discuss their help in one venue.

“All of their sentiments were the same. All of them are seeking for truth and justice,” he added.