Gov’t casualties of antidrug war to receive financial aid
Policemen and soldiers wounded or killed in action will receive more financial assistance from the government—up to P500,000—besides other benefits, Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno said on Friday.
Sueno said the government’s improved Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP) will upgrade cash assistance for soldiers killed in action/wounded in action (KIA/WIA) or lawmen killed in police operations/wounded in police operations (Kipo/Wipo).
He said President Duterte also intended to put up a trust fund for KIA/WIA and Kipo/Wipo starting with P1 billion, adding more yearly.
Follow rule of law
“As long as you follow the rule of law, and follow the oath of your office, I repeat what the President has said: ‘Don’t be afraid. I will support you,’” Sueno said in a statement.
He said the President was aware of the risks faced and sacrifices made by police and soldiers “so he wants to give back to [their] spouses and the children.”
Sueno said the new program was timely as the President leads the campaign against illegal drugs, corruption and other crimes, and seeks to foster law and order in Mindanao.
Two tranches
He said a special finance assistance will be granted in two tranches to the beneficiaries of KIA/Kipo totaling P500,000.
Those wounded with total permanent physical disability (TPPD) will receive up to P250,000 while those with major and minor injuries can expect to get P100,000.
Sueno said a generous shelter assistance worth P450,000 will go to families of KIA/Wipo and WIA/Wipo with TPPD, plus a health care assistance through coverage of premiums from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) worth P2,400 per year.
Maintenance medicines will be provided by the Department of Health to qualified beneficiaries of police and soldiers killed in action.
An educational assistance will be received as annual stipend by up to two children or other beneficiaries of police or military personnel killed in action and those wounded with TPPD, Sueno said.
The KIA/WIA one-stop assistance program management office based in the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Napolcom Center will aid in the implementation of the program, he added.
