The families of the policeman and three soldiers who were killed in the encounter between government security forces and Abu Sayyaf bandits in Inabanga in April will be given P500,000 each.

This is after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) approved a P2-million fund as financial assistance to the fallen government troops’ families.

The appeal to extend the amount to the families was made by the Cebu City government through Mayor Tomas Osmeña while PAGCOR made the approval during a board members’ meeting on May 26.

According to PAGCOR, the fund will be released after the mayor and the Cebu City Council will also formally sign an approval.

Osmeña had announced the city government’s plan to extend financial aid a few days after the four government security personnel were killed in Inabanga on April 11.

“It’s to encourage the others, [during the] battle in Bohol they risk their lives to save lives not just in Bohol but to save our lives. So this is our way of contributing, nadisgrasya sila, atoa silang tabangan,” Osmeña earlier said.

The mayor had also previously expressed optimism that the Cebu City Council including opposition members will support the move.

The government security forces killed during the Inabanga in mid-April were P02 Rey Anthony Nazareno, a Calape resident, 2nd Lt. Estilito Saldua Jr., Corporal Miljune Cajaban and Sgt. John Dexter Duero. (A. Doydora)