Napolcom approves scholarships to kids of slain SAF 44

The beneficiaries of the 44 Special Action Force troopers slain in Mamasapano, Maguindanao,  are now assured of educational assistance until they finish college.

This came after the National Police Commission granted the aid to the children and other relatives of the fallen commandos under its educational assistance program.

The program would cover the school expenses of the beneficiaries until they finish college, said Philippine National Police spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame on Thursday, the PNP said 46 children of the SAF commandos were granted educational assistance certificates. The aid covers both legitimate and illegitimate children.

Meanwhile, the Napolcom and the PNP received 89 requests from other beneficiaries such as siblings, nephews and nieces for educational assistance.

Of this figure, 43 were granted scholarships from the Presidential Social Fund, while 17 got scholarships from the Commission on Higher Education.

Mayor said that as of Thursday, 25 were still completing the required documentary while four have withdrawn their requests.

He added that the Napolcom has amended its educational assistance program to accommodate illegitimate children as beneficiaries of the educational assistance.

“These are legal benefits in accordance with the law, under rules and regulations of the PNP and Napolcom,” Mayor said.

The educational aid also took into account the fact that the K-12 program has been implemented and the vocational scholarship now includes short term courses from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The Napolcom also increased the assistance to P10,000 per school year for kindergarten, P18,000 for elementary students, P24,000 for high school students, P18,000 per semester for vocational courses and P30,000 per semester for college courses.

As of July 24, the kin of the slain troopers have received P69,566,524.88 in lump sum benefits, P1,016,995.70 in pension benefits and P35,367,333.00 in donations from the Senate of the Philippines, Congress, local government units, PNP, other government agencies and private donors.