MANILA, Philippines - It will indeed be a merry Christmas for some ranking officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as they would be receiving from P50,000 to P400,000 in cash gifts from President Duterte.
PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, in his speech during yesterday’s Christmas party for police officers and their families at Camp Crame, said the bonus is proof of how much the government takes care of its policemen.
“It’s the first time this happened in the PNP. That’s how much he (Duterte) supports the PNP,” Dela Rosa said.
Police generals in the PNP Command Group, Directorial Staff, National Support Units, executive officers, regional police directors and others with key positions are entitled to P100,000 and P400,000 while senior superintendents assigned as police provincial directors will receive P50,000.
As PNP chief, Dela Rosa gets the highest amount saying, “I have four stars. So, that’s P100,000 for every star.”
“It did not come from (illegal) drugs. Maybe it came from the intelligence fund of the President,” he said when asked where the money was sourced.
He defended the President for giving the cash gifts, saying it is better for people to see where the money went.
“You are not criticizing those who are just putting the money into their pockets,” he said, addressing critics.
However, not everyone was happy with the Christmas bonus.
A junior officer, who requested anonymity, admitted some of them are disgruntled to learn that only high-ranking officials have cash gifts from the President.
“Even if we keep complaining, what can we do?” the officer told The STAR in a chance interview.
A non-commissioned officer also expressed disappointment over the news, saying they are the ones who are in the frontlines of Duterte’s war on drugs.
An officer from the Visayas said in a text message that they are not even aware their superiors were given Christmas bonuses.
Dela Rosa said that while Duterte wanted to give everyone a gift, including non-uniformed personnel, there are just not enough funds as he instructed those who are to receive such cash gifts to proceed to his office to claim it.