President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, March 22, ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) to stop the practice of requiring dependents of deceased policemen to go to the police headquarters in Camp Crame to process death benefits.

In a televised weekly public address, President Duterte reiterated the implementation of his previous order to make the processing of death benefits easier for the family members of deceased police personnel.

President Duterte said the PNP should designate personnel who will handle death claims and should require the widows or other dependents to process their claims at the PNP’s regional offices to prevent corruption and abuse.

“I want to have that regionalized, [the] processing. And do not call the heirs or the widow hanggang hindi na… ‘yung araw na ‘yun, pagbigay sa kanya, diretso na,” he said.

The dependents of police officers shell out additional money just going to Metro Manila to process their claims and sometimes fall prey to corrupt and unscrupulous members of the PNP, according to the President.

“Ewan ko if this is still being practiced now. If it is still the practice, I am ordering you to cut it now,” he said.

“I am ordering you now to cut this goddamn. It takes about two months, three months… Maawa kayo sa mga biyuda… Dapat magmalasakit kayo sa kapwa niyo,”

Also, President Duterte named several police officers dismissed from the service for committing wrongdoings.

Those dismissed from the service were Patrolman Ralph Rigor Ramos, Police Corporal Dimaciding Ali S. Succor Jr., and Police Staff Sergeant Mary Jean C. Rillera. They were accused of committing grave misconduct and other offenses.

Dennis Lomboy, an Attorney V from the National Police Commission (Napolcom), was also removed from service for committing extortion. PND