Did papal security get right amount of allowance? Espina orders probe

Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine National Police has ordered the investigation of the police unit that allegedly deprived its men a portion of their allowance for serving as papal visit security contingents.

Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, PNP officer-in-charge, has directed an investigation on the alleged discrepancy in the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG)’s release of allowance to its personnel.

This was after a police officer assigned to PSPG in Camp Crame accused his superior, Chief Superintendent Manuel Felix, of pocketing the budget allotted for his officers’ allowances.

Speaking to reporters, Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesperson, said Wednesday that no formal complaint has been sent to the PNP, even from the policeman who kept his identity anonymous in a newspaper report.

But even without a complaint, the PNP has started conducting an internal investigation on the PSPG, the police unit responsible for providing security for government officials and foreign dignitaries.

The PSPG officer claimed that they did not receive in full the P2,400 allowance the government promised to the 25,000 PNP personnel deployed during Pope Francis’ visit from January 15 to 19.

The police officer said they only received the two tranches, P200 and P700, of the budget, on the first two days of the Pontiff in the country.

When he asked his colleagues from other units in Crame, they said they had received P2,400 allowance in total.

“These are still allegations. Let’s give chance to the unit (PSPG) involved to explain and give their side,” Mayor said.

“It is inherent in the PNP na maayos ito because it affects the morale of the personnel. Lahat ng nagpaulan, nagpainit at nagpakahirap, deserve nilang makakuha ng tamang amount ng allowance,” he added.

(It is inherent for the PNP to fix this issue because it affects the morale of the personnel. Those who were subjected to rains and the heat and those who worked hard (for the Pope’s security) deserve to get the right amount of their allowance.)

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