AFP, PNP welcome Duterte’s call for unified pension system, legal aid for personnel

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday thanked President Rodrigo Duterte after he called for a unified pension system and free legal aid for their personnel.

In a statement, PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar welcomed the statements of Duterte in his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

“Malaking bagay ito para sa mga nagsakripisyo at nag-alay ng matagal na panahon sa pagsisilbing tapat sa sinumpaang tungkulin para proteksyunan ang bayan at mamamayan,”

(It is a big help for the personnel who sacrificed and provided long service for their mandate to give protection to the country and the public.)

In a separate statement, the AFP emphasized that the legal assistance would not be taken advantage of to commit abuses.

“We reiterate that this will not be an excuse or open opportunities for our soldiers to commit abuses,” the AFP said.

“Rather, this is a testament that the rule of law reigns on every aspect of our efforts in support to law enforcement operations.”

At the Laging Handa public briefing AFP public affairs office chief Captain Jonathan Zata, after thanking Duterte, added that the distribution of the differential pension for their retirees was still ongoing.

During the SONA, Duterte urged Congress to pass a law for free legal assistance for the military and the police to assist them when they face charges related to their performance of official duty. — DVM, GMA News