PNP chief plays Santa to retired cops 1-M

The Star of Bethlehem finally shone brightly on some 100 retired policemen who waited a long time for their retirement benefits.

"I am very happy. I am glad that the funds were finally released. My family and I thought we won’t be having a merry Christmas because I am broke," exclaimed retired SPO4 Ruperto Aldea who waited almost a year for the windfall.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Leandro Mendoza personally saw to it that Comptroller Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Velasco handed out the checks to the retirees on Friday.

Aldea said the family could hardly make both ends meet during the past year since he hung up his uniform, adding they virtually subsisted on doleouts and loans from friends and relatives.

One of his three sons nearly dropped out of college because of severe financial problems as food on the table became the priority with what little money he had.

But hope springs eternal for the former cop. On Friday, he and his wife tried their luck anew at Camp Crame and their patience paid off. The checks had been prepared, albeit only for partial payments.

In his Christmas message, Mendoza appealed to the policemen’s families for greater understanding of their job.

"Don’t get mad with your husbands if they have to come home late, or not at all even during the Christmas season because they are detailed or on-duty," Mendoza said.

He vowed to help improve the standard of living of the 113,000 PNP personnel nationwide by providing increased pay and more benefits.