Aquino meets with families of SAF 44

In a surprise visit to Camp Crame last night, President Benigno S. Aquino III and members of his Cabinet met with the families of the 44 PNP Special Action Force troopers. The President talked with each family, spending several hours at Crame. — February 18, 2015. (Photo: Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA – President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday night met anew the families and relatives of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers who were killed in the Mamasapano encounter.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the visit not part of the President’s itinerary for the day.

The President surprised the SAF 44’s relatives at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters at the Camp Crame while they were being briefed about the compensation packages due them for the death of their loved ones.

The first time the President met with the family members of the SAF 44 was last January 30 at Camp Bagong Diwn in Taguig during the necrological services where President Aquino stayed for 12 hours.

During the first meeting, President Aquino announced that each of the family would initially receive a minimum of Php800,000 in cash and monthly pension benefits.

Scholarship assistance will also be given to the children of the fallen heroes as well as employment and livelihood assistance to their widows, siblings and parents.

In a surprise visit to Camp Crame last night, President Benigno S. Aquino III and members of his Cabinet met with the families of the 44 PNP Special Action Force troopers. The President talked with each family, spending several hours at Crame. — February 18, 2015. (Photo: Malacañang Photo Bureau)

In a surprise visit to Camp Crame last night, President Benigno S. Aquino III and members of his Cabinet met with the families of the 44 PNP Special Action Force troopers. The President talked with each family, spending several hours at Crame. — February 18, 2015. (Photo: Malacañang Photo Bureau)