For APEC deployment: Cops did not receive exact meal stipend?

CEBU, Philippines - Policemen assigned to secure the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings were not allegedly given the exact amount for their meal allowance, an issue now being looked into by the Police Regional Office-7.

Some policemen, who requested anonymity, complained that they were only given P150 daily for their meal allowance, a figure allegedly different from what Philippine National Police chief Director-General Ricardo Marquez told them.

Others even claimed that they have not received any allowance at all.

“Giingon sa ilang chief PNP tag P500. Pila na sila kaadlaw ga-duty sa apec wala jud sila na dawat (The chief PNP told them they will receive P500.

They have been on duty for APEC for many days already but they received nothing),” read a text message received by The FREEMAN from someone who claimed that she wants to help her relative who is a policeman detailed for APEC.

Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, the director of PRO-7, said they will look into the matter, although he said there must have been a miscommunication.

“Minsan nagkakaroon tayo sigurong miscommunication. We will look into that how it came about na ganun ang nangyari,” he said.

According to Bañas, the money released to them is not just for the policemen’s allowance but for everything needed for the security preparation for the international event Cebu is hosting.

“It is part of the larger fund which will be used for APEC,” said Bañas.

He said the national government only released contingency fund which will incorporate everything such as the food, the transportation and the rent for the establishment of the operation center.

“Lahat-lahat na,” he stressed.

According to him, policemen are supposed to be only given meals and not meal allowance since the Commission on Audit prohibits the giving of cash to deployed personnel since it will be hard for the agency to liquidate.

The PRO-7 director stressed that they intend to give the policemen what they need and deserve and will not take them for granted.

“I know how it is sa field,” he said. — /NSA (FREEMAN)