Res Gestae
PNP Badge of Honor (6)
(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 POI Jared E. Equilla who is assigned at Public Information Office at Bacolod City Police Office.
Esquilla, 33, is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) in Bacolod City and finished his supplemental studies in bachelor’s degree in secondary education (BSED) at West Negros University (WNU). He is presently enrolled at the University of St. La Salle Graduate School for his Masters in Public Management (MPM) major in Law Enforcement and National Security through a scholarship grant by the Eduardo Cojuangco Foundation.)
PNP Badge of Honor: “Service to the People”
When I was a little boy and if I happened to see a police officer in our neighborhood, my heart trembled not because of fear but I felt that excitement deep within me. We truly understand how a little boy thinks and feels, right?
In the mind of a little boy, a police officer is a hero, the protector of the oppressed and the defender of the people. As a hero, being a police officer and having the PNP badge entails a lot of responsibility. I can still recall the famous line the Hollywood blockbuster movie, “Spiderman”, that “having power comes with great responsibility” and the responsibility is to better serve and protect the people and to enforce the law without fear or favor.
The PNP badge represents power! Not for us to abuse but rather to use for the greater welfare of all. The citizenry seeks the help of a police officer when he/she is in trouble. And it gives us happiness and fulfillment once we extend a helping hand to someone who needs help because there is joy in helping and serving others. Besides, our existence here on earth is not to acquire riches or treasures which we could not bring with us when we die. Rather, our existence on earth is how we can help the citizenry.
It is an irony that we have come to a point when policemen are not always regarded as protectors of the people and this is because of the reports regarding crimes wherein perpetrators are police themselves or they urged other people in their wrongdoings.
However, this negative report or feedback must not hinder nor stop us in performing our mandate - that is to truly serve and protect the people and to enforce the law without fear or favor.
Ladies and gentlemen, I know it’s easier said than done but this is the heart and soul of the PNP badge… “Service to the people”, total customer quality satisfaction, customers delight as they say.
We are here to serve not to be served.
I would like to quote the statement of Honorable Ronaldo V Puno, our dear Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary’s New Year’s call speech in Camp Crame, “It is the man in uniform who is expected to bring order in a seemingly disordered society, to bring peace, to bring calmness and unity that will allow us to function in our daily lives to move in and around a normal environment, your service to this nation is invaluable.”
Fellow police officers, our PNP badge is not worn simply for the sake of decoration but let it be a reminder for all of us that we should not tarnish or smear the good image of the PNP badge. The PNP badge represents virtues of service, honor and justice. It reminds us to always render the highest form of public service to our countrymen.
Ladies and gentlemen, police officers be proud of what you are now. Many are called but few are chosen to become police officers or public servants. Do not waste this rare opportunity to serve God, our country and our Filipino brothers and sisters.
Hence, as we continue our service, always consider and remember that, day by day, our primary duty to serve and to protect the people and to enforce the law without fear or favor.
Let us always seek God’s guidance and direction in whatever we do and truly we will succeed and wherever we are He will surely shield us with the divine protection.
Police officers wear your badge with pride, wear your badge with dignity, wear your badge with Honor.
Thank you very much and may the good force be with us all!
(Next issue: “PNP Badge, Symbol of Our Legacy” of POII Mary Grace Socorro D Borio of Iloilo City Police Office.)