Gov’t speeding up processing of benefits of SAF survivors – Espina

PHILIPPINE National Police officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina assured the members of the Special Action Force who survived the Mamasapano clash that the government is speeding up the processing of their benefits.

Espina made the pledge following a television report Monday night that showed a manifesto of the SAF survivors, signed mostly by non-commissioned police officers, complaining of the slow processing of their spot promotions as recommended by the PNP Board of Inquiry and their housing assistance from the government.

At the sidelines of the PNP academy class of 2015 Badge of Honor ceremony, Espina said the failure of some SAF men to submit certain requirements might have been causing the delay as the PNP has already fast-tracked the processing of their benefits.

“Their monetary benefits were prioritized. The President himself supervised this with the help of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas… If they have concerns, papuntahin niyo na sa akin directly,” Espina said.

As for their promotion, the PNP OIC said they are still deliberating if the survivors should be given a higher rank or a Medal of Valor–the highest service medal which gives a police officer additional P20,000 – P25,000 monthly salary.

A police officer awarded with a Medal of Valor will also allow one of his/her children to enter the PNPA without taking the required entrance and physical examination.

“Medyo nade-delay ang spot promotion ng survivors. Pinagpipilian baka mas maganda ang medal of valor. You can only choose one,” he explained.

While the PNP is still studying the promotion of the survivors, the 44 SAF commandos killed in the Mamasapano clash were given posthumous awards and promotions.

Some survivors also lamented that the PNP’s promise of reassignment order transferring them to their preferred area assignments near their families has not been fulfilled.

Espina said he had ordered the Directorate for Personnel to address the reassignment concerns of three SAF survivors.

When asked if the PNP is neglecting the SAF survivors, he said, “No. Automatic naming inaalagaan ‘yan, SAF 44 o hindi.” AC