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PO3 Jigger C. Gimeno
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| Police Officer 3 Jigger Celebrado Gimeno |
In our country some people have waned trust from the police. It maybe due to their bad experiences with the men in uniform. Of these, we should also note that life on earth is a matter of the opposites. There are day and night, sunrise and sunset, light and dark, and more. We may like it or not but we are in a battle between the good and bad.
Thus, we struggle to whichever side we want to be (good or bad). And even if the real world talks about corruption, murder, treachery and more our nature would still claim a much higher need… of being in peace. Though these ‘ideals' may need people with political will, the poem ‘Desiderata' sums it all in it's last sentence, “It is still a beautiful world.”
Projects on making the world a better place has long been going especially with the issues of ‘public trust and confidence'. Even with the songs we hear or poems we read. There are also the LGUs, GOs, NGOs and other sectors. One of these projects is the Search for the ‘Country's Outstanding Policeman in Service' (COPS). It is a project of the Metrobank Foundation, together with the Rotary Club Manila East and Philippine National Police (PNP).
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The competition aims to select individuals who have excelled in upholding peace and enforcing law and order. The winners are to become role models to their fellow policemen. And that they should have accomplishments which have contributed in regaining confidence and respect to the police.
And one man who in his nine years of service, PO3 Jigger Celebrado Gimeno brings not only pride to Ilonggos but also to Filipinos in winning a lifetime award as one of the ‘Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service' (COPS).
“I did not expect it. What I did was to do what was required. There were written accomplishments, papers to be passed, interviews and more.”
The search was tough, it may not be on matters of physical activities rather on accomplishments. From 92 nominee policemen (both men and women) it was narrowed down to 20. Then on its final phase, 10 were selected.
Gimeno is the youngest sibling of Mr. Roque Gimeno and Eleanor Celebrado. His father was also once policeman which perhaps explains why he was inspired to follow his footsteps. At the age of 30 he is the youngest COPS awardee. “It maybe due to my accomplishments that I won the award but what always matters to me is that I offer it to God's greater glory.”
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| Awarding of COPS with his wife and father. |
The young policeman has already put behind bars some notorious and high profile criminals, robbery-hold-up syndicates, kidnap-for ransom gangs, some most wanted persons and even international fugitives. With these, Gimeno is a hero to most of us. As a dedicated policeman, he is on-call 24 hours a day. “There were instances, when my chief would call me early in the morning to report to duty.”
It takes bravery, word of honor, courage and faith to be a policeman. Like Gimeno, love for the work is what matters. With a busy schedule, still the man takes time out being with his family. “He is a very thoughtful man and always a loving father to our four children, Trisha Ira, Kim Jigger, Karl Jann and Ken Johann,” Gimeno's wife Lezerie said.
Winners are people who have done well for others and remembers to thank those people behind his success. Jigger extends his thanks to his mentors: PSSupt Prudencio Banas, PSupt Bartolome Tobias, PSInsp Sofronio Fusin, Jr., PSInsp Juliet Pacificar;
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| PNP's 14th Anniversary as National & Regional Best Junior (PNCO) Police Non-Commissioned Officer 2004. |
His Couple's For Christ family in Mandurriao Cluster: Sam Pasaporte and Tony Enriquez, the Zarraga PNP and LGUs, RIID6, RIO6 and PACER 6 Personnel, Iloilo City Council and City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
And he has this message to his fellow policemen: “Work hard without thinking of recognition. Know your limitations and try to be your best to also become the next year's COPS. Also remember to put God first before anything because He'll make us WIN!”
