Res Gestae
PNP Badge of Honor
(Note: The writer yields this space to the speech delivered by Police Chief Superintendent Isagani R Cuevas, Director of Police Regional Office 6, during the conferment of PNP Badge of Honor ceremony at Camp Martin T Degaldo, Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City yesterday, April 28.)
Upon taking the oath and assumption to office, you are invested by the people and the law with the authority as law enforcer.
The PNP Badge pinned on your left breast is the symbol of that legal authority: it is so placed, nearer to your heart, to remind you of the fidelity and dedication to duty expected of you as a public servant.
You have been entrusted with badge as a symbol of your worthiness as a police officer to serve and protect the people from whom you derived the power and authority, to enforce the laws of the land without fear or favor.
You are to oversee the general welfare of the people and ensure that peace and order is maintained at all times. You shall ever be mindful that the police are the protector of the weak, defender of the innocent and advocate of human rights.
At the center of your badge is the PNP seal held bravely by your hero, Lapu-Lapu, the first Filipino to defend our country against foreign invaders despite being inferiorly equipped.
Inside the seal are the virtues of service, honor and justice. They remind you to always render the highest form of public service for our fellowmen. You are to serve the citizenry with the commitment of sacrifice and willingness to die in the service of God, country, and people.
Duty and honor now bind you to be faithful to the trust bestowed upon you by the people. Your badge reminds you to maintain the dignity of your character at all times and to strenuously enforce by example, a steady obedience to the laws of the land.
Exemplary conduct on your part will convince our people that you merit the just title and authority as you patrol the street and walk your daily beat.
Walk tall, head up and bravely face the daily dangers of duty. Keep the badge unsullied and free of any breach of fidelity by the regularity of your conduct. Always endeavor to avoid any aspersion against our institution.
You are to preserve our cherished customs and traditions and never countenance any deviation from them nor allow them to be infringed.
Your dignity as a police officer symbolized by the badge is now pinned in your heart. Never swerve from your solemn oath of office, violate your vows or betray the public trust.
You are a police office… wear your badge with honor!