PNP to honor cops killed in Maguindanao clash

MANILA, Philippines  - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to deliver the sad news to surviving family members of policemen killed in an encounter with Muslim extremists on Sunday in Maguindanao.

 

As a policy, the PNP withholds information about circumstances surrounding the death of a policeman until the orphaned family members have been notified.

 

On Monday, the Philippine flag was hoisted at half-mast at the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City as a sign of mourning over the loss of brothers in uniform.

 

Meantime, the PNP is preparing the highest police honors to be given to the slain policemen, including all benefits due to the surviving kin.

 

The surviving kin of slain policemen in Maguindanao clash are entitled to receive death benefits ranging from P1.5 million to P2 million.

 

Death benefits for policemen killed in line of duty include P250,000 from the President’s Social Fund; between P141,000 up to P181,000 as Special Financial Assistance (SFA) from the PNP; burial benefits worth P50,000; and P200,000 gratuity from the National Police Commission.

 

PNP members of the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund are also entitled to death insurance ranging from P225,000 to P417,000 depending on rank.

 

These death benefits are on top of the estimated P15,000 monthly lifetime pension from the PNP and roughly the same amount of pension for five years from the Napolcom. 

 

"I extend my deepest sympathy to the orphaned families of our fallen policemen. They died a meaningful death on the side of justice and righteousness. They did not die in vain,” PNP Officer-in-Charge, Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina said.

 

Espina said he is confident that "justice and peace will prevail" despite the momentary setback of law enforcement operations against members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Moro Islamic Liberation Front who were involved in the firefight.