Fallen Caraga cop’s kin claimed not receiving monthly pension since 2004  

by Ben Serrano

     February 20, 2011

            BUTUAN CITY (PNA)  - While there were allegations of pabaon, pasalubong, pakilala and other perks to both top military and police , officials, relatives of lowly Caraga policeman who died in line of duty in 1981 complained that direct beneficiaries of fallen Caraga cop failed to received monthly pension since 2004.

            Herminigildo Lagunde, 89, and Rodulfo Duro Lagunde, 67, aging father and brother, respectively of fallen Caraga policeman Mario Duro Lagunde who died while on special mission on January 23, 1981 complained that since January 25, 2005 the monthly pension of the fallen cop were not remitted to them.

            Lagunde with serial number 647479 Philippine Constabulary was assigned at Headquarter IV Camp Parang, Maguindanao at the time of his death.

            The two who sought assistance to Caraga Police Regional Chief of Operations Officer Senior Supt. Nestor Monton Fajura complained that since December 2004 they received no words from the government about the monthly pension of Lagunde about P2,000 a month who died while in the line of duty.

            Fajura told elder surviving brother of the fallen cop, Rodulfo Lagunde, 67, that since late policeman Mario Duro Lagunde was under then Philippine Constabulary, his monthly pension was transferred to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

            Fajura claimed that after the promulgation of the PNP such matter was already transferred to the AFP.

            The two kins of fallen Constable Mario Duro Lagunde who pleaded help almost kneeling claimed Constable Lagunde died single and no heirs except his immediate family, his surviving father who at 89 years already show sign of severe physical weakness and at anytime will be called by his creator soon.

            The old and weary Lagunde claimed he used to receive p monthly pension of his son but suddenly stop in the end of year 2004.

            The Lagunde patriarch complained he is already weak and may not see or touch his son’s pension whom helped a lot in his medication.

            Lagunde in his letter request for help or assistance to AFP Chief of Staff and President Benigno Aquino, III dated January 20, 2011 claimed he is already old and poor and most of the time had no money to buy food much more much needed medicine for medication.

            “My son as a constabulary offered his life for the country, I am now too old Mr. President and now needs immediate help. The monthly pension of P2,000 or more which is only too small compared to alleged stolen millions at the AFP is between life and death to me. This feeds me, I pray that before I die I may have a taste of the fruits of my son’s efforts who died for the service to the country we all love”, Lagunde in his letter said. (PNA/Ben Serrano)