Posthumous promotion for 5 cops in Zambo siege OK’d

MANILA, Philippines - The National Police Commission (Napolcom) confirmed yesterday the special posthumous promotion of five police officers killed during the Zamboanga siege in September last year.

Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Eduardo Escueta said they approved the promotion to the next higher rank of Inspector Jay Oy-Oyan, Police Officer 3 Murphy Abbilani and Police Officers 2 Lawin Salisa, Christopher Hernaez and Enrique Afable III, based on the recommendations  of Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima.

Escueta said aside from regular pensions, the families of the slain police officers would be reimbursed for the funeral expenses and receive five-year survivorship pension and educational assistance or scholarships for the children.

“The courage displayed by these police officers earned themselves not only the admiration of the members of the PNP but also the people they had sworn to serve. We assure the families of the slain policemen that they will receive full assistance from the Commission,” Escueta said.

Under the law, any uniformed member of the PNP who has exhibited acts of courage beyond the call of duty should be promoted to the next higher rank.

The law said such acts of courage should be validated by the Commission based on established criteria.

Escueta said PNP members and their beneficiaries are granted certain welfare benefits under the provisions of R.A. 6963.