Trillanes wants increase in allowances, combat duty pay of cops, soldiers

If he wins in the May 2022 national elections, senatorial aspirant Antonio Trillanes IV promised to push for the increase of allowances of the country's security forces.

Trillanes, who is running under the slate of Vice President Leni Robredo, emphasized that the state's police personnel and military troops have also played a huge role in the battle against COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sa security sector reform, nais ulit nating bisitahin ang pag-increase ng benefits ng ating mga sundalo at pulis,” Trillanes said in a radio interview.

(In the security sector reform, I want to revisit the increase of benefits for our soldiers and police officers.)

Trillanes said he is eyeing to increase the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police’s Subsistence Allowance, Quarters Allowance, and the Combat Duty Pay.

“Noong una akong tumakbo noong 2007, nangako akong itataas ang sweldo, pension, at subsistence allowance ng mga sundalo at pulis. Kasama na rin dito ang pagpasa ng batas para sa AFP modernization. Lahat ng ito ay natupad sa loob ng aking dalawang termino," he said.

(When I ran in 2007, I vowed to increase the salary, pension, and subsistence allowance of soldiers and policemen. The AFP modernization is also included in the measures which I have pushed. These were all implemented under my term as senator.)

He is proposing that the AFP and PNP quarters allowances be increased from P5,000 to P15,000, depending on the rank.

Trillanes said at present, the PNP personnel are only receiving P400 to P1,500 while the AFP troops are receiving P1,600 to P3,000.

For combat duty pay of the personnel assigned in conflict areas, Trillanes is also seeking to increase it from P3,000 to 25% of their base pay.

He noted that the current rates of the security forces' allowances do not reflect the present times, adding that these need to be increased to help personnel of the AFP and PNP cope with the rising costs of living.—AOL, GMA News