One-rank promotion for Marawi cops, soldiers pushed

For showing a rare display of valor and love of country, all soldiers and policemen who laid their lives on the line in the Marawi gunbattles should be granted one-rank promotion, a senior administration lawmaker proposed on Tuesday.

In a press statement, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo urged the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to consider his recommendation. He also recommended that posthumous promotions be granted those who were killed in action if such move is allowed under AFP and PNP regulations.

A posthumous promotion may entitle the beneficiaries of deceased soldiers and policemen additional pension and government financial assistance.

Castelo, chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, said those who were sent to rid Marawi City of Maute terrorists are considered heroes who deserve to be honored by the whole country.

“All officers and uniformed men and women who fought for our peace and security deserve automatic promotion to the next higher rank as a show of the nation’s gratitude,” said Castelo, chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development.

The QC lawmaker vowed to strongly lobby for additional budget should the proposed promotions require it.

He called on Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero and Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa to immediately adopt the necessary measures and mechanisms to make the promotion effective as soon as possible.

“Our soldiers and policemen risked life and limb to make sure those terrorists who occupied Marawi and threatened our nation’s peace and security would not succeed , ” Castelo said, stressing that one way to reward them is by giving them automatic promotion.

Castelo said promotion among members of the armed forces and the police is not easily earned.

“Among them, there is no greater criterion for promotion than service to country in times of grave danger as those who served in Marawi showed,” he pointed out.