MEN and women in uniform have the toughest profession. They bravely served communities and nation every single day just to ensure peoples safety. But despite all of these, law enforces still celebrates Yuletide season with gratitude.
Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao director Manuel Gaerlan said the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) generally celebrates Christmas and New Year's Eve on duty--this is the call of the law enforcers.
"We join our family either on Christmas or New Year’s Eve, but not on both occasions. Half of our personnel will go on Christmas break while other half on the New Year. We render duty for about 12 hours on the occasion," Chief Superintendent Gaerlan said.
Gaerlan said the policemen will have to render duty from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. for December 24 and 25, and December 31 and January 1. He added that they will have to go on patrolling to prevent illegal discharge of firearms by the revelers.
In between duty or during break, Gaerlan said, that is the only time the members of the organization could take their family/children out to dine on restaurants, shop or play at the malls, as long as they will able to spend time together.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Alexander Tagum said men and women in uniform considers Yuletide season also a time to be in full alert—a demand for higher security level in society that can be feasibly confronted by threats.
"For the people to enjoy the holiday season with their loved ones, we in the uniformed service must be on the streets or remotes areas to ensure everyone’s safety. This is our sworn duty to serve and protect our country," Tagum said.
DCPO Deputy City Director for Administration (DCDA) member Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz, on her part, said the law enforcers celebrates Yuletide season with so much blessings from the communities and the government, as well.
“We shall pay them back through public service thus we are happy to serve them. We are used to celebrate Yuletide season sometimes away from our families and loved ones just to make everyone safe. This is our mandate,” Driz said.
Driz also said that it is fulfilling on their part to hear people thanking them for ensuring everyone’s safety, adding that magic words suffice their happiness for making everyone enjoy and smile even at their expense this Yuletide season.
Task Force (TF) Davao commander Nolasco Mempin said members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would have to celebrate their Christmas party ahead of the rest so they can focus on its mandate to secure everyone.
As individual, Colonel Mempin said, their personnel had already schedules, of which 75 percent of them are on duty while the other 25 percent are on break, adding that some will not able to celebrate Yuletide season with their loved ones.
"But that is part of our oath. Duty comes first before self. We’re consoled by the fact others can peacefully celebrate this season with their loved ones. Anyway, Christmas is a spirit of love -- love of God and our country," Mempin said.