PNP: SAF kin got over P69M in lumpsum benefits from gov’t

The surviving kin of the 44 commandos killed in Maguindanao in January have received over P69 million so far in lumpsum benefits from the government.

In particular, the benefits totalling P 69,566,524.88 came from the Office of the President, Philippine National Police and the National Police Commission.

In a statement, Chief Supt. Wilfredo Franco, the PNP spokesperson, said the lumpsum benefits received by all beneficiaries included P 250,000 each from the President’s Social Fund totaling P11 million; P174,600.75 each from the PNP’s Special Financial Assistance totalling P 7.6 million; and P218,294.19 each in commutation of accrued leaves totaling P9.6 million.

Other individual lumpsum benefits received by each family include an average of P26,062.79 in back-earned pension from the PNP; P65,759.80 in burial benefits from the Napolcom; P263,039.18 worth of Napolcom gratuity; P38,222.36 in back-earned pension from the Napolcom and P557,677.12 in insurance benefits from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc.

Franco said this meant that each beneficiary received an average of P1,593,656.19 in total lumpsum benefits, depending on rank, which were released by check.

Forty-four Special Action Force commandos were killed last January 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, while conducting a law enforcement operation to arrest two high profile terrorists.

The policemen encountered elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters while arresting Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli Bin Hir and Filipino terrorist Basit Usman.

Bin Hir alias Marwan was killed in that operation, while Usman died in a firefight with the MILF last May.

The government acted swiftly to aid the surviving kin of the troopers, many who left behind parents, wives and children heavily dependent on the policemen.

Earlier, the PNP awarded each of the 44 slain policemen with posthumous promotions and the Bravery Medal for their heroism.

Franco said another P11 million in cash donations were also received from the Senate, House of Representatives, and the local government of Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Qualified beneficiaries will also get an average monthly pension of P 12,000 from the PNP and another P 16,000 average monthly pension from the Napolcom.

The pension payments are being paid through individual bank accounts with the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Aside from the financial benefits, the Napolcom also granted educational scholarships to all children of the slain SAF commandos.