Senate to probe missing P59.8-M SAF allowance

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs is set to conduct an investigation into the alleged withholding of some P59.8 million in daily subsistence allowance and hazardous pay for members of the Special Action Force (SAF).

The inquiry was prompted by a resolution filed by Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday.

“If the reports were true, it threatens to demoralize SAF troopers who are the frontliners in fighting terrorism and crimes,” Lacson said.

“We cannot allow yet again another injustice to be committed against our heroes in uniform, lest we risk demoralization within their ranks,” he said.

Lacson, who headed the Philippine National Police (PNP)  from 1999 to 2001, said the unlawful withholding of these funds, “constitutes a criminal act and runs counter to the policy of President Duterte to increase the pay of uniformed personnel in order to repay them for their sacrifices.”

Some 4,000 SAF members are entitled to additional subsistence allowance (ASA) of P30 per day or P900 a month and allocations for explosive ordnance disposal hazardous pay.

Lacson cited records showing that the SAF troopers only got their share of ASA for January 2016 and January to July last year.

Outgoing PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said a portion of the missing SAF funds has been recovered.

In a television interview, Dela Rosa said he was informed by SAF commander Director Noli Talino that some P37 million in allowances for the police commandos have been returned.

“The amount is being distributed to those who have not received the money,” Dela Rosa said.

He did not say if he has information on the status of the remaining P22 million.

Dela Rosa relieved former SAF chief Director Benjamin Lusad and three other police officers from their posts after SAF officers filed a plunder complaint against them before the Office of the Ombudsman on April 1 in connection with the missing funds.