Aquino eyes ‘combat pay’ for cops

BOCAUE, Bulacan — President Benigno Aquino III on Monday vowed to give policemen, particularly those in rebel-infested areas, combat pay similar to what soldiers in the frontlines receive. Aquino, in his speech during the launching of a housing project for military and police personnel here, wondered why policemen do not receive combat pay. “Ang madaliang sagot hindi raw dapat nasa combat ang police, pero aayusin po natin yan, title lang ang problema pero dapat meron din kayo," he told the policemen among the audience. Military personnel who are in actual combat receive P500 monthly combat pay and P150 daily allowance. Police personnel assigned in rebel-infested areas, on the other hand, receive hazard pay ranging from P220 to P340, depending on their rank. Aquino said his administration will address the inequalities brought about by corruption in order to end the pain and suffering being experienced by government security forces in actual combat. He said he would work hard to give the benefits due the military and police personnel. “Sa isinusulong nating matuwid na paggugol ng pera ng bayan at ng pananagutan sa ating paglilingkod-bayan, maganda na ang kinahihinatnan ng ating mga programang pangkaunlaran," Aquino said. He said that through an intricate spending program, reforms in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have been implemented as part of their modernization program. “Winawakasan na natin ang katiwalian sa inyong tanggapan sa pamamagitan ng maigting na auditing at mas maayos na procurement planning na nagbubunga ng mas maayos na serbisyo," Aquino said. These reforms, the President said, include the P2-billion Modernization Program of PNP for 2011 – Modernization Plan and Capability Enhancement Program (CEP) that has helped provide vehicles, arms and ammunition, and safety equipment for the organization. “Naipagkaloob na natin ang mga bagong sasakyan, armas at gamit pangkaligtasan sa inyong hanay tulad ng halos limandaang tactical vests, ballistic shield units, at tig-isang lote para sa inyong surveillance and technical equipment at data warehouse," he said. For the AFP, Aquino said that reforms include doubling their combat pay and the purchase of vehicles and equipment such as Hamilton Class Weather High Endurance Cutter from the United States. “Ang mga gamit na ito ay para sa mas epektibong pagtatanod sa ating pambansang teritoryo; at ang iba pang makabagong armas at kagamitan na inilaan para sa mas maayos na serbisyo-publiko ng AFP," the President said. - KBK, GMA News