'Kotong' cop forfeited P2-million benefits, pension

MANILA, Philippines -  Dismissed policeman Senior Police Officer 4 Jose dela Peña, who was accused of trying to extort P20,000 from a son of National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, lost nearly P2 million in financial benefits that could have given him and his family a comfortable life after his retirement.

In a check with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Finance Service, The STAR learned that police officers who retire after over 20 years in the service are entitled to monthly pension equivalent to the monthly salary of a police officer of the next higher rank.

Dela Peña was in the police service for 22 years and used to receive P26,438 in monthly salary as an SPO4.

“He was supposed to receive a monthly pension of P31,881.56 or the equivalent to the monthly salary of a police inspector. The monthly pension is on top of his three years’ lump sum of P1,147,736.16,” said an officer of the PNP Finance Service.

The finance officer said Dela Peña could still get the payment for the commutation of his leave credits, but nothing more.

Espina said Dela Peña cannot use financial need as an excuse for his extortion activities. “We police officers enjoy a good salary,” he said.