THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received P5-million financial assistance intended for the casualties in a military plane crash in Patikul, Sulu.
AFP Vice Chief of Staff Erickson Gloria accepted the donation from ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Eric Go Yap and Davao 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte on Monday, July 12, 2021.
The AFP said 60 percent of the amount will be divided among the families of the 49 soldiers who perished in the incident, while the remaining 40 percent will be allocated for the injured soldiers.
“This very timely financial assistance handed over today will be judiciously distributed to support the AFP personnel’s families who were victims of the tragic accident,” Gloria said on behalf of AFP Chief of Staff Cirilito Sobejana.
“The pain and suffering of this incredible tragedy still lingers, but I am sure it is the wish of our fallen that the family they have left behind be taken care of and comforted,” he added.
President Rodrigo Duterte said Pastor C. Quiboloy also pledged to extend P20,000 cash assistance to the families of the soldiers and civilians who perished in the incident.
Sulu Vice Governor Abdusakur Mahail Tan also gave P15,000 each for the injured and P30,000 for the families of the fatalities while Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao vowed to give P50,000 for each fatality and P20,000 for each of the injured soldiers.
These are on top of the benefits that the soldiers are entitled to such as command special financial assistance which will include the sum of their base pay, hazard pay and bonuses; a funeral service support amounting to P80,000; and monthly pension based on rank and length of service for the fatalities.
Their beneficiaries will also receive support under the Office of the President’s comprehensive social benefits program which include special financial assistance worth P500,000; and shelter, health, education and employment assistance.
For the injured personnel, the AFP will shoulder all their hospital expenses. They will also receive a special financial assistance from the Office of the President worth P250,000 for major injury and P100,000 for minor injury.
The Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefits Association Inc. also allotted P12,000 each to the injured personnel and cash advance release for those who were killed. (SunStar Philippines)