MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police has raised P12 million in cash that would be soon distributed to the families of 44 slain Special Action Force commandos and 16 survivors of the January 25 Mamasapano clash.
As of latest, PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said the 150,000-strong force has raised P12 million through the help of cash donors from the private sector.
“The fundraising activity is for the families of the 44 policemen as well as those wounded in the Mamasapano operation,”Cerbo said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
“As for the mode of distribution, we are just waiting for the approval of fiscal directive. Be assured that the donations will be distributed fairly and equally,” he added.
Cerbo said the P12-million donation would also cover the SAF organization itself.
“Our fundraising was basically achieved through networking with private individuals and groups close to the PNP. We’ve put effort into explaining to the donors about the fundraising and a lot of them responded positively,” he said.
Aside from cash donations, Cerbo said the PNP would also give lifetime pension benefits to the legal beneficiaries of the 44 policemen killed in line of duty.
Cerbo explained that the lifetime PNP pension would vary depending on the salary of a police officer. Citing an example, the family of a police officer who has a P16,000 pay will receive P8,000 monthly.
Meanwhile, separate pension for five years ago from the National Police Commission will be granted to the legal wives of 29 commandos. Fifteen of the 44 SAF troopers are unmarried.
“The Napolcom pension gives 80 percent of the salary of the police officer. So if the officer has P16,000 salary, the Napolcom will give his family P12,000 to P13,000 monthly for five years,” he said.
But burial and gratuity benefits have been given to all families of the 44 men.