Either the wife, children or parents of a policeman who is ?missing in action? will receive his salary and allowance for one year, the National Police Commission said yesterday.

After one year, the missing policeman will be automatically terminated from the service, the commission en banc said in a memorandum circular.

MIA is a status assigned to armed services personnel who are reported missing while in active duty. They may have been killed or have become a prisoner of war, Napolcom said.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, also Napolcom chairman, said the memorandum circular aims to promote the prompt and speedy payment of benefits of policemen officially confirmed MIA.

?The commission will ensure that while a police member is missing in action, his or her next of kin or heirs will receive the same pay allowances due him or her at the time of the incident,? Puno said.

The commission made the announcement in the wake of the ambush and capture of three policemen by members of the New People?s Army in Rodriguez town of Rizal on Jan. 3.

The communist rebels? Narciso Antazo Aramil Command recently posted on YouTube the supposed actual video of the capture of Insp. Rex Contapay and PO1s Albert Umali and Arvin Agasen. Another policeman, Rexon Aquino, was killed during the ambush.

Under the guidelines promulgated by the commission, a PNP Personnel Missing in Action Board will be established to evaluate the report or recommendation of the unit chief or chief of police of a policeman who has gone missing after a legitimate operation.

The board will then recommend to National Police Chief Jesus Verzosa that the family of the missing policeman will receive his pay and allowances.

Puno said this benefit is only up to a year from the date the policeman is reported to be missing in action. After this period, the MIA policeman shall be automatically dismissed and retired from the service.

Should the missing cop turn up dead, the payment of his salaries and allowances will be terminated and the police can start the processing of his death benefits.

But Puno stressed that in the event the missing policeman reappeared, he will be required to reimburse the amount the National Police has so far given to his or her family within six months. Ferdinand Fabella