President Rodrigo R. Duterte ordered to simplify the process of claiming the death benefits of fallen law enforcement officers to lessen the burden of their loved ones.
In his weekly public address Monday, Pres. Duterte pointed out that the “practice” of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) is to make the widows go to Metro Manila particularly in Camp Crame to follow up on the death benefits.
“Sabi ko ‘yong mga biyuda ng pulis, pupunta pa rito. They go to Manila, spend money, stay here not knowing where to stay, and yet they go to the traffic bedlam just to reach Crame and to follow up [on] this (I said that the widows of the police will still have to go here. They go to Manila, spend money, stay here not knowing where to stay, and yet they go to the traffic bedlam just to reach Crame and to follow up [on] this).”
The Chief Executive suggested that there should be an office to take care of the said matter to ease the burden of the loved ones who were left behind and have to go out of their way just to claim the benefits.
“Cut the crap. Sa regional na lang nila i-follow up. Kayo ang magpadala. (They should follow it up in the regional [office]. You should send it there). The PNP has the resources. There are a lot of people there walking around. I don’t know if they have work to do. I don’t like the idea because it is susceptible to so many, you know, things.”
He insisted that the claiming of the benefits must be done regionally and asked the NAPOLCOM to “not call the heirs or the widow” until the benefits are ready to be claimed.
“Gawain ninyo doon na sa region ang magtatrabaho. Karaming babae na hindi mo naman pwede ipadala sa giyera. Iyang mga nurses na nagpulis, eh ‘di patrabahuin mo ‘yan. One division, at a moment’s notice na mayroong namatay, then they begin to process and eventually sila na ang nag-follow-up. Bakit mo pa kailangan ‘yong biyuda? The biyuda, the identity of the biyuda should be down there at the regional level kasi kilala sila (Just let the region work on it. There are many female personnel who cannot be sent to war. Those nurses-turned-police officers, let them work on it. One division, at a moment’s notice that someone died, then they begin to process and eventually they will follow it up. Why do you need the widow? The widow, the identity of the widow should be down there at the regional level because they know her there).”
The Chief Executive then reminded the police to care for one another. He advised, “do not do unto others what you do not want to do unto you”. -NGS, PTV News Online
