THE Philippine National Police (PNP) conferred the posthumous award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal (Medalya ng Kadakilaan) to Patrolman Mark Monge, who died during the encounter with suspected rebels in Gandara, Samar.

"We feel the anxiety of every wife, child and parent of our policemen. Just like that, another policeman’s family can become fatherless, another can become a widow, and another parent can lose a child while our policemen perform their duty to ensure that our countrymen are safe in their homes,” said Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr., PNP officer-in-charge.

“Patrolman Monge did not die in vain, the PNP derives inspiration from his heroic death,” he added.

Monge's surviving kin will receive death benefits that include P500,000 from the President’s Social Fund; P256,345.98 as Special Financial Assistance and P107,462.34 as Commutation of Accumulated Leave from the PNP; P445,020 gratuity from the National Police Commission (Napolcom); and P100,000 Pamanang Lingkod ng Bayan from the Civil Service Commission.

Danao earlier gave financial assistance amounting to P200,000 and P100,000 from Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas Director Brigadier General Bernard Banac to the bereaved family of Monge.

“Monge’s kin is also entitled to claim insurance amounting to P975,504.22 from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund, Inc,” the PNP said.

“These death benefits are on top of the estimated monthly salary lifetime pension from the PNP of the police officer and roughly the same amount of pension for five years from Napolcom,” it added.

Meanwhile, Danao assured financial support and social benefits due to police personnel who died in the line of duty.

“Monge was cited for bravery and heroism, above and beyond the call of duty,” the PNP said.

Monge and his team from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) reportedly engaged in a gunfight with some 10 members of a suspected rebel group while doing a humanitarian activity in the areas of San Nicolas, San Jose de Buan and Barangay Mabuhay, Gandara, Samar on July 16, 2022. (SunStar Philippines)