Kin of slain SAF men in Cagayan Valley to get financial aid

MANILA, Philippines - The families of the eight members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) who was killed in an ambush by the New Peoples Army in Cagayan on May 27 will be given welfare benefits by the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

“We mourn for the valiant police officers and the other victims of this heinous crime and we assure the families of the slain policemen and wounded police officers that they will receive full assistance from the Commission," said Napolcom  Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo Escueta.

Escueta added that  besides the pension, the families of the slain police officers will also receive burial assistance and their children will be given educational assistance. He also said the Commission will grant medical and hospitalization benefits to the wounded police officers.

“I have already instructed our Regional Officials in Tuguegarao City to get in touch with the families to give them basic information on the requirements, processes and procedures for the availment of the benefits,” Escueta said.

According to Escueta, members of the PNP and their beneficiaries are expressly granted certain welfare benefits under the provisions of R.A. No. 6963 entitled “An Act Granting Special Financial Assistance And Benefits to the Family or Beneficiary of any Police or Military Personnel or Fireman Killed or Permanently Incapacitated while in the Performance of his Duty or By Reason of His Office or Position and for Other Purposes.”

These benefits are administered by the Napolcom pursuant to the provisions of Sections 73 and 76 of RA 6975 or the PNP Law, Escueta said.

On May 27  at about 8 a.m., 15 members of the 24th Special Action Company, 2nd Special Action Battalion, PNP-SAF based in Brgy. Cataratan, Allacapan, Cagayan were ambushed by at least 30 NPA rebels while on their way to Allacapan Municipal Police Station for a medical examination.

During the ambush, the rebels detonated a landmine and opened fire at the police officers.

Killed in the ambush were PO3 Vladimir Tabarrejo, PO2 Engelbert Mateo, PO2 Dexter Cubilla, PO2 Jonel Bowat, PO2 Elmark Rodney Pinated, PO2 Ronald Castulo, PO1 Erick Brioso and PO1 Jerome Sanchez.

Seven other SAF troopers identified as PO2 Ricky Monay, PO2 Joefrey Amilanagan, PO2 Jefrey Dalwidao, PO2 Geopano Adangi, PO2 Ronald Gomez, PO1 Ryan Asunio and PO1 Ephraim Dollete were injured. They were evacuated and treated at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) and St. Paul Hospital in Tuguegarao City and are now in stable condition.  - Mike Frialde