Cost-free burial for those killed in line of duty 

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Debold M. Sinas yesterday said they have lined up several programs that will ensure free hospitalization for members of the force under the new normal and at the same time appropriate burial assistance for their men who will be killed in the line of duty.

At present, the PNP, thru the help of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation or PAGCOR chaired by Andrea D. Domingo is currently building a P500 million hospital inside the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City, the top cop said.

The modern police hospital which will be run by the PNP Health Service will cater to members of the police and their immediate family once completed in the next two years.

Yesterday, the PNP’s hospitalization needs got a big boost after getting another P2.5 million from PAGCOR to procure medical supplies and other various medicines specifically those needed in treating police personnel with mild or moderate COVID-19 cases, Gen. Sinas said.

Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s instructions, the PNP chief said they expect to receive more support from PAGCOR to fully equip their hospital in Camp Bagong Diwa with modern hospital machines, medicine and beds.

At the same time, he signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cosmopolitan Pre-Need General Agency, Inc. represented by its chairman Renato S. Dychangco and president Sheilah D. Joaquin to serve policemen who have been killed in action.

Sinas said they both agreed for the need to recognize the need to provide an appropriate burial assistance to fallen policemen-heroes when they inked the agreement.

Under the MOU, the CCLPI and its accredited service providers nationwide will perform the following memorial service for policemen who have been killed in ambuscades, anti-drug operations, while serving search warrants or warrants of arrest and conducting other anti-criminality operations like manning checkpoints and conducting mobile and foot patrols.

The services include the retrieval of the body, assistance for documentation, embalming in accordance to Department of Health standards, casketing, chapel and outside viewing and the provision of hearse.

Sinas told all 17 Police Regional Office directors as well as their provincial, city and municipal station chiefs that all they have to do is call up the Office of the Chief, PNP in the event one of their men is killed in action and the rest will be taken care of by Camp Crame.

“Experience ko na kasi nung nasa field pa ako, nung RD ako ng Central Visayas, ng NCRPO na pag me napapatay na pulis sa labanan, naghihintay ang mga commanders sa pamilya ng namatay. Ngayon, me programa na kami para dito para maibsan ang lungkot ng mga naulila ng mga bayani nating pulis,” he said.

The PNP chief wants a standard casket for PNP officers and men too as part of his effort to ensure there will be no rich nor poor when it comes to policemen who have been killed in the performance of their sworn duties.

Sinas said the CPGAI has already assisted in the burial of several policemen who have been killed in action so far this year including the five policemen killed in a New People’s Army attack in Labo, Camarines Norte last March 20.

The top cop said he has received positive feedbacks from the families and immediate superiors and colleagues of the fallen cops.