Res Gestae
PNP Badge of Honor (5)
(Note: The Police Regional Office 6 held the 1st Oratorical Cup with the theme “PNP Badge of Honor” on May 13, 2009. And, in recognition to the laudable performance of all the contestants, I am yielding this space for the oration pieces of 17 police officers who participated in the said contest.
This next oration piece was delivered by POII Rowena E Fuentebella who is assigned at the Family Protection Gender Sensitivity Section of Bacolod City Police Office. She joined the PNP in December 17, 2001.
Fuentebella, 35 years old, is a graduate of AB Philosophy at the University of St. La Salle (USLS) in Bacolod City and earned her Masters in Local Governance at the Iloilo State College of Fisheries (ISCOF). She was also adjudged as the “Orator of the Year” during the International Youth Convention in 1997 held in Davao City, Philippines.)
PNP Badge of Honor
This badge, part of our uniform as members of the Philippine National Police, symbolizes honor.
Honor, as dictionary defines it, is a “reverence, reputation, good name, title of respect for individuals who are worthy of it”.
We may ask, “Why are we wearing this badge?” Is it because it bears our number as part of the PNP’s coding system, so that they could easily know our personal circumstances?
No! Our badge is more than just a number assigned to us as identification; we are wearing this because, as men and women of the PNP, we are expected to be honorable, enforcing the law without the influence of fear or favor.
If we try to analyze how the people in the community rate us according to the PNP’s image portrayed by the black propaganda of organized rebel groups hiding in the clothing of people’s organization coupled by some media persons non-investigative journalism, we could say that our image was tarnished by corruption, immorality and other negative adjectives far beyond our human mind can conceive.
We could not deny the fact that we have brothers and sisters in uniform that used their authority for selfish gain. They are the termites that destroy the integrity…the very foundation on which we build this organization. But, so many times there are those who are prejudged, who suffered from the trauma of public ridicule, humiliation and character assassination before they achieved the so-called “due process of law”.
We could not avoid that, as we fulfill our daily tasks, there are temptations knocking at our doors alluring us to yield…enticing us to succumb. These temptations may be in the form of favor or monetary considerations. But what is the price that we have to pay? Honor…not only our honor as an individual person but the honor of the whole PNP organization.
History tells us that our forefathers had offered their lives to defend our country from foreign invasions. Many lives had been sacrificed in order for us to taste the sweetness of freedom that we are enjoying right now. But are we truly free in the true sense of the word? Our Philosophy professor once taught us that the essence of freedom is “doing what we ought to do”. As law enforcers, we are mandated to serve and protect the people. If we are doing this by heart and mind, then and only then, we could say that we are truly free!
Let us always bear in mind and engrave in our hearts that police service is more than just a profession. It is a vocation…a calling. It is the Almighty Father’s perfect will for us. Each of us are called and chosen to be part of this noble profession. God has entrusted into our hands to serve and protect His people, above and beyond the boundaries of time and personal circumstances.
Now, a greater challenge is posed before us…as the new breed of police officers, what are we doing? What can we contribute for the betterment of this organization? The organization that provides food in our table…shelter for our families…education for our children… The organization that mold us to become better and more productive citizens! What have we done so far?
The PNP has equipped us with the knowledge and necessary tools…it’s up for us to make our own signature…!
(Next issue: “PNP Badge of Honor: Service to the People” by POI Jared E Esquilla of Bacolod City Police Office.)