Salute to our gallant cops

THE great Indian nationalist Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Through their exemplary performance of their sworn duty as members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), four policewomen and six policemen have indeed found their life’s calling.

They are now recognized as Metrobank Foundation Inc.’s (MBFI) Search for Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) awardees.

“This year’s batch of outstanding policemen and policewomen serves as a testament to our police force’s continuing dedication to their sworn duty and professionalism towards performing their responsibilities,” MBFI president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña said.

He added, “Notable this year is that we now have four policewomen awardees shining in our usually male dominated competition.”

The commissioned officers who made it to the list are: Supt. Belli B. Tamayo (Quezon City), Chief Insp. Vicente S. Cabatingan (Laguna), Senior Insp. Charity S. Galvez (Butuan City), and Supt. Bernard M. Banac (Quezon City).

PO3 Eduardo D. Santiago (Pangasinan), SPO3 Renjun O. Bagaman (Koronadal City), SPO3 Rhia B. Sotomil (Iloilo), PO3 Mary Jane B. Perez (Cotabato City), SPO4 Ma. Rosario Y. Suarez (Davao City), and SPO3 Robert U. Fabregas (Quezon City).

The accomplishments of the four women awardees indeed deserve commendation.

Inspector Galvez, a holder of two Master’s degrees in education and public administration, was chief of the Trento Police Station in Agusan del Sur when she led her men in preventing 250 New People’s Army rebels from attacking their post.

SPO3 Sotomil was instrumental in the arrest of several rape suspects in Pavia, Iloilo. She led crusades against sexual abuse by unceasingly empowering victims, while waging a personal war of her own against lupus.

PO3 Perez was part of the team that raided the house of a Maguindanao Massacre suspect in November 2009, resulting in the seizure of various weapons and ammunitions. She is also actively promoting the rights of children with disabilities.

SPO4 Suarez conceptualized and implemented notable projects such as the “Search for the Most Child Friendly Police Station in the Davao Region,” the Police Regional Office 11 One-Stop-Shop Crisis Center for women and children, and the Astig ng Ray of Hope for women detainees and their kids.

The six male COPS awardees merit accolades, as well.

SPO3 Fabregas is an accredited broadcaster of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and a regular columnist in PNP’s official newsletter, the “Police Digest.” After a caller sought assistance through his radio program, SPO3 Fabregas took on a murder case and successfully arrested the suspect with the help of two civilians in 2004.

SPO3 Bagaman led an operation to arrest his own relative, who happened to be one of his town’s most wanted persons. His extraordinary composure during the arrest earned the public’s respect.

PO3 Santiago risked his life in saving two children from a hostage-taker inside a bus last year. For his heroism, he earned the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting and Medalya ng Kadakilaan.

Supt. Banac helped conceptualize “Magic Eye Text Patrol 2910,” which uses text messaging to help solve crime; and “Bless our Cops,” which advocates open communication between the police and the community.

Chief Insp. Cabatingan successfully led operations against drug lords and illegal gunsmiths. He has also organized basketball leagues for the youth to discourage them from turning to drugs.

Supt. Tamayo was responsible for the surrender of 19 B’laan outlaws/MILF members in South Cotabato. He was also credited for the recovery of five high-powered firearms from 30 terrorists who were responsible for the massacre of six innocent civilians.

The COPS awardees will receive a cash prize of P300,000 and a trophy courtesy of the Metrobank Foundation.

The PNP will also confer on them the Medalya ng Katangi-tanging Gawa, a testament to the exemplary service of COPS awardees to the police force and the country.

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