EDITORIAL - Benefits

An issue surfaced about whether or not the family of slain Police Officer 3 Jonathan Tilos, who was ambushed in Alegria town Wednesday night, should receive benefits for his long years of service as a member of the Philippine National Police.    

This after it was learned that Tilos was actually in the list of policemen allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade. He was allegedly linked to self-confessed Cebuano drug lord Franz Sabalones, who surrendered to authorities.

The issue stemmed from the death of a police official who was earlier slain during an anti-drug operation by the authorities in Mandaue City. Senior Inspector Raymund Hortezuela, who was included on the list of 'narco-cops,' was killed when he allegedly tried to shoot it out with operatives.

Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, director of Police Regional Office-7, said Hortezuela's family will receive no benefits from the PNP. He stressed this will serve as a lesson to policemen involved in drugs and other illegal activities.

However, in the case of Tilos, Senior Superintendent Manuel Abrugena, director of Cebu Provincial Police Office, said whether or not Tilos' family is eligible to receive any benefit is up to Camp Crame to decide.

But as far as PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde is concerned, Tilos is eligible for benefits if no case has been filed against him. Albayalde said that families of slain cops allegedly linked to illegal activities may receive benefits as long as they have no pending case in court.

Granting Tilos had no pending case related to illegal drugs or other crimes, his family should receive the benefits for his long years in police service. His being on the narcolist was just an accusation. He was still innocent until being proven guilty by the court.

As for Hortezuela, he was the subject of a buy-buy operation and even allegedly sold illegal drugs to a poseur-buyer before he was killed by pursuing operatives. Therefore, it was just right for the PNP leadership to withhold any benefits for him.