MANILA, Philippines - The late ex-Philippine National Police chief Leandro Mendoza will not be entitled to putting the Philippine flag on a half mast, a PNP spokesman said on Tuesday.
Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said the half-mast rite is only for active police officers who are killed in the performance of their duties.
"After research with our HRD (Human Resources Department) and consultation, sad to say were not able to do the half mast , because the late General Leandro Mendoza should be active...normaliy the half mast is granted to active PNP officers," Sindac told a press briefing.
He said under the PNP protocols, retired police officers are not to entitled to half mast rite.
"Hindi lang talaga entitled 'yung retired PNP officers... ideally, yung ganun, yung killed in action," Sindac added.
Sindac, however, pointed out that there are appropriate ceremonies for the case of Mendoza, who also served as Department of Transportation and Communications during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The police official said the PNP leadership has yet to communicate with the Mendoza family members regarding the arrangement for the paying of last respect to the late PNP head.
"May appropriate ceremonies naman, that would be discussed by the protocol committee...I have not yet received word from the family... kung dadalhin dito sometime sa Camp Crame...," he said.