THE casualty lists had become a matter of concern in the Constabulary, as they had no such provision for retirement and disability pay as prevailed in the Army. Realizing this, a pension fund had been established some years after the organization of the Corps which provided for an internal fund for use in such cases. Pay deductions were made from the various ranks as follows:
| Colonel | Deduction from monthly pay--$ 1.75 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Deduction from monthly pay--$1.50 |
| Major | Deduction from monthly pay--$ 1.25 |
| Captain | Deduction from monthly pay--$ 1 .00 |
| First Lieutenant | Deduction from monthly pay--$ .75 |
| Second Lieutenant | Deduction from monthly pay--$ .75 |
| Third Lieutenant | Deduction from monthly pay--$ .50 |
| Enlisted man | Deduction from monthly pay--$ .10 |
These monthly deductions were set up into a retirement and disability fund for distribution to the retired and their dependents.
Disability classifications were established as follows: Loss or loss of use of both hands, both feet, both legs, both eyes, or any two limbs--total disability. Loss of one arm, one foot, one hand, one eye, all fingers of one hand, or loss of hearing -- 2/3 disability. Loss of one eye, or two or three fingers -- 1/3 disability. Retirement was provided for at the age of 55, after 20 years service, with a maximum of 75 per cent of base pay. The widows of Constabulary soldiers dead in line of duty were to receive 2/3 pay.
The pitifully small retirement pay provided for by this plan is indicated by the following total disability tables:
| Brigadier-General | |
| years service and less than 20 | --Pension $40.00 monthly | years service and less than 15 | --Pension $35.00 monthly |
| years service and less than 10 | --Pension $32.00 monthly |
| than 5 years service | --Pension $30.00 monthly |
| Colonels and Lieutenant-Colonels | |
| years service and less than 20 | --Pension $35.00 monthly |
| years service and less than 15 | --Pension $30.00 monthly |
| years service and less than 10 | --Pension $27.50 monthly |
| Less than 5 years service | --Pension $25.00 monthly |
| Majors | |
| years service and less than 20 | --Pension $30.00 monthly |
| years service and less than 15 | --Pension $25.00 monthly |
| years service and less than 10 | --Pension $22.00 monthly |
| Less than 5 years service | --Pension $20.00 monthly |
| Captains | |
| years service and less than 20 | --Pension $25.00 monthly |
| years service and less than 15 | --Pension $22.50 monthly |
| years service and less than 10 | --Pension $20.00 monthly |
| Less than 5 years service | --Pension $17.50 monthly |
| 1st Lieutenants | |
| years service and less than 20 | --Pension $20.00 monthly |
| years service and less than 15 | --Pension $ 17.50 monthly |
| years service and less than 10 | --Pension $15.00 monthly |
| Less than 5 years service | --Pension $12.50 monthly |
| 2nd Lieutenants | |
| years service and less than 20 | --Pension $15.00 monthly |
| years service and less than 15 | --Pension $12.50 monthly |
| years service and less than 10 | --Pension $11.25 monthly |
| Less than 5 years service | --Pension $10.00 monthly |
As may be seen from the above, a Captain with twenty years' Service, retired for total disability, would receive a monthly pension of $25.00. There was no retirement from the Constabulary service. The ex-officers who survive today are employed in civilian activities. The governmental efforts made to reward these muddy riflemen who made the Philippines safe are conspicuously absent and remain our national disgrace.
One sop was provided, but that only on special order of the Governor-General after specific investigation of each case. That was the privilege of the Governor-General, in special cases, to retire Constabulary soldiers as follows:
General J. G. Harbord, who saw all sides of the service in the Philippines, has ably summed up the treatment of the Constabulary in a foreword to the manuscript of Jesse A. Tiffany. He says, "The romance and adventure of the Constabulary service, particularly in the Moro country, would furnish the theme for a score of Kiplings, Remingtons, or Wisters. The officers who lived the adventure are scattered across the world. Some of them fell in France when America entered the World War. A very few, perhaps a half-dozen, are still in service in the Philippines. Others who had entered the Constabulary as a career could not foresee the fate which overtakes the servant of Colonies,--and have given away to native officers. Out of step with affairs at home, and weakened by a long stay in the tropics, they exemplify the ingratitude of their native land. Our country has not appeared to be interested in their fate."
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Original publication © 1938 E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc.
Filipiniana Reprint Series © 1985 Cacho Hermanos, Inc.
This publication (HTML format & original artwork) © 2001 Bakbakan International.
Transcription courtesy of Ashley Bass.