Families of Fallen 44 receive P24.5 M in benefits

MANILA, Philippines - A total of P24.5 million in benefits have been given out to the families of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos killed last month in a covert operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The amount, however, was not equally divided among the families of the SAF men, said Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., as the benefits given to each family would depend on the policeman’s rank and length of service in the police force.

“Aside from the benefits, the families will also receive the commutation of accumulated leaves and monthly pension, which is equivalent to 50 percent of the policeman’s monthly salary,” Cerbo said in press briefing.

Records from the PNP Directorate for Comptroller showed that the family of the team leader would get the biggest cash benefits amounting to P764,824.07, while the family of another officer would be receiving P753,525.90.

Families of the two rookies received P407,566 each, which include their benefits from the Office of the President, the PNP and the Public Safety Mutual Benefits Fund Inc. (PSMBFI).

Data showed that 13 of the 44 families of the SAF men would receive P541,770 each, which include P250,000 from the President’s Social Fund (PSF).

The cash advance and 25 percent of basic life insurance from the PSMBFI have already been given to the families, while the other benefits are still being processed.

Data also showed that the families are supposed to receive burial and gratuity benefits, as well as monthly pension for widows of married SAF troopers, from the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).

“These benefits will be given as due to the families. This is aside from the other help that other government agencies have promised,” Cerbo said. “The Philippine STAR also gave financial help to the families,” he added.

A fund drive was initiated by The STAR’s corporate social responsibility arm Operation Damayan, which was led by STAR president and chief executive officer Miguel Belmonte, in recognition of the ultimate sacrifice made by the SAF commandos while they were on a mission to arrest terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan and Basit Usman.

Generous readers, families, friends and employees of The STAR warmly responded to the fund-raising effort by putting in a total of P2.8 million. The amount was equally divided among the families of the 44 SAF heroes, allowing them to receive P64,000 each.

Meanwhile, the 15 commandos wounded in action have received P1.19 million in assistance so far from the PSF and PSMBFI.

Four of the SAF commandos who suffered major injuries received P100,000 from the PSF.

President Aquino met with the families of the 44 slain police commandos for the second time last Wednesday to determine whether the concerns raised during their first meeting have been addressed.

The President was with his Cabinet secretaries, who were personally verifying the status of the benefits with the respective departments.

At the same time, Cerbo denied that there was a shouting match or confrontation between the President and some of the families during the dialogue.

“I was there the whole time. I did not see or witness any shouting or confrontation. What I can say is, there was a free exchange. But I cannot identify any instance as a confrontation,” he said.

“All of their sentiments were the same: We are all seeking for truth and justice,” the PNP official added.