CEBU, Philippines- The Police Regional Office-7 is “more than willing” to face a possible Senate inquiry into the alleged anomaly in the food allowance for the policemen assigned to provide security to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit delegates attending the different meetings here in Cebu.
PRO-7 gave this reply in answer to the statement of Senator Antonio Trillianes that he may push for a Senate inquiry to investigate the matter.
Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, chief of the Regional Directorial Staff in the PRO-7, told The FREEMAN they have already addressed the problem which only existed at the start of APEC summit in Cebu. But if the officials want to have an investigation, he said they will follow orders.
He said Trillianes might just also be concerned for the policemen deployed for the APEC summit who are tasked to guard the streets of Metro Cebu for how many hours every day during the series of ministerial meetings.
“Maybe he is just concerned on the plight of the policemen considering he also came from the same service,” he said.
Lawas said they have the Finance and Logistics team intended for APEC summit that could answer the questions regarding the matter.
“They (Finance and Logistics team) can provide the necessary documents,” said Lawas.
During the start of the APEC summit in Cebu, it was reported that policemen intended for security detail were allegedly not given the exact amount for their meal allowance.
Some policemen, who requested anonymity, claimed they only received P150 daily for meal allowance, a figure way below what PNP director Ricardo Marquez earlier promised them which was reportedly P500.
After looking into the matter, the director of the PRO-7, Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, explained that the money released to them is not just for the policemen’s food allowance but for everything needed for the security preparation for APEC summit Cebu is hosting.
Bañas said that of the P500 allocated for every policeman, P300 was for meals while P200 is for transportation, logistics, and other expenses necessary for the maintenance of the personnel’s tactical operations center.
As of now, policemen are receiving their P300 meal allowance daily, not by cash but in the form of packed meals provided to them by caterers.
Lawas said yesterday they have properly addressed the problem already, adding that even the policemen understand the matter.
During Trillianes’ visit to Cebu Saturday, he told reporters he will ask the leadership of the PNP and the Department of Interior and Local Government to both give their side on the issue.
He also said if the agencies cannot provide an acceptable answer then he will move for an investigation into the controversy.
Lawas said if Trillianes thinks a Senate inquiry is needed they are ready.
“We can provide the necessary documents. We are more than willing to face that,” said Lawas. — /BRP (FREEMAN)