Manila: Taking a cue from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive not to abandon uniformed personnel who serve the country, acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. ordered a full review of disability discharge policies to ensure fair, updated, and responsive support for officers who sustain life-altering injuries in the line of duty. Nartatez said the order was part of internal reforms to ensure that wounded law enforcement personnel receive the recognition, benefits, and opportunities they rightfully deserve.
According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative came after President Marcos, reacting to a viral video posted by an Army captain who went blind after an explosion, ordered the Department of National Defense and Armed Forces of the Philippines to reassess and strengthen their disability discharge rules following the forced retirement of the soldier.
Nartatez directed the PNP Health Service and the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management to begin an audit of existing disability discharge procedures. ‘The PNP has established policies on complete disability discharge. But with the instruction of the President, we are now looking at our procedures to ensure they are updated, fair and responsive,’ Nartatez said. ‘Kung kailangan ng parallel review, handa po ang PNP na gawin ito (If a parallel review is needed, the PNP is ready to do so).’
The core law governing the PNP’s policy on disability discharge is anchored on Republic Act 6975 or the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Act. Under Section 73, PNP personnel who incur ‘total permanent physical disability’ in the line of duty may be retired or separated depending on years of service. The procedures and standards for disability-benefit claims are governed by implementing rules of the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
As part of the review, Nartatez said the PNP will engage in consultations with the DILG and other security agencies. ‘We are open to harmonization. Importante na magkakatugma ang protocols para mas consistent ang pagtrato sa ating mga sugatang personnel (It is important that protocols are harmonized so that the treatment of our wounded personnel is more consistent,),’ Nartatez emphasized.
He also instructed units to identify administrative, technical, and support roles that may be filled by police officers who are no longer fit for field deployment but remain capable of serving. ‘Marami po tayong tasks na hindi field-related pero critical sa operations. Kung medically unfit for combat ang isang pulis pero may kakayahan pa (We have many tasks that are not field-related but critical to operations. If a police officer is medically unfit for combat but still has the ability), we want to retain them so they can still contribute meaningfully,’ he said.
Nartatez reiterated the organization’s commitment to improving welfare programs for injured personnel including medical care, financial assistance, counseling, and reintegration support. ‘We have existing benefits. But beyond that, we want our officers to feel na hindi sila nakakalimutan ng organisasyon. Ang serbisyo nila ay hindi mawawala (that the organization does not forget them. Their service will not be lost) and we make sure they receive the recognition they deserve,’ Nartatez said. ‘Malinaw ang mensahe ng Pangulo na hindi natin pababayaan ang mga nag-alay ng buhay para sa bayan (The President’s message is clear that we will not abandon those who sacrificed their lives for the country).’
