Retired cops to stage rally

Retired police officers vowed to stage a rally at the Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila on April 27 to protest the failure of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to release their pension and retirement benefits regularly since 2001.

Retired police general Edgardo Maristela, vice president of the Police Retirees Association (PRA), said they hope to gather thousands of protesters since their association has 25,000 members.

Maristela, who approached journalists covering a breakfast forum at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan Wednesday morning, said thousands of retired police officers were deeply frustrated over the non-release of their pension and benefits.

He said many of them were in need of money for their daily expenses and medical bills.

Maristela said that when they inquired with the Department of Budget and Management, they learned that the funds for their pension and benefits had been regularly released since 2001.

"Millions of pesos are involved here. We are calling on PNP chief General Oscar Calderon to listen to our appeal because if we are ignored, we will be forced to march towards the front gates of Camp Crame," he said.

Maristela said the PRA brought their complaint before the PNP, but the association’s officials had not been given a clear explanation. – Rainier Allan Ronda