ECC to pay soldiers slain, hurt in Marawi

MANILA, Philippines - Soldiers and policemen who lost their lives or were wounded when the government fought to retake Marawi City from the hands of the terrorist Maute group are getting compensation from the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC).        

In a resolution, ECC directed the Government Service Insurance System to draw the guidelines and release the Employees Compensation (EC) benefits to the killed or wounded members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The sacrifice and bravery of soldiers and policemen who put their lives on the line should be recognized and appreciated, the ECC said.

“To honor the gallantry in the performance of their sworn duties, the Commission recognizes the need to effect a facilitative processing of the EC benefits for the uniformed personnel who are qualified beneficiaries,” it added.

The ECC is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment that extends compensation to workers, including uniformed personnel, who are killed or injured in work-related accidents.       

It extended similar benefits to the families of the 44 PNP Special Action Force members who died in the Mamasapano operation in January 2015.

The ECC resolution also calls for the automatic processing of benefits “without the need of individual or personally filing the application.”

An employee, whether from the public or private sector, who died as a result of a work-related accident or illness will be granted a funeral benefit of P20,000 and death benefit in the form of monthly pension for his or her beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, detained Sen. Leila de Lima filed a resolution calling on the Senate to honor the fallen soldiers and policemen who fought the Maute group for their heroism and bravery.

“The Senate of the Philippines salutes the courage of the members of the AFP and the PNP and honors the valor and heroism of those who sacrificed their lives to ensure that the country is safe and secure from the threats of terrorism,” the resolution read.

De Lima said the entire nation owes the highest respect to the government troops who have selflessly offered their lives in protecting the country’s democracy from the terrorist group. 

“This tragic loss of lives is greatly felt not only by the government, but is mourned by the entire Filipino nation, which lost gallant members of the uniformed service,” she said. 

Over 60 government forces have been killed since the Maute group launched an attack against various government and private facilities in Marawi City last May 23. 

In response, President Duterte declared martial law in all of Mindanao.  – With Marvin Sy