"In assisting his neighbors every day to the best of his ability, and keeping truth, honesty, and kindness perpetually within him, with as little recognition as possible, a Boy Scout, is pleasing God."
-Robert Baden-Powell
NO, I won't be writing about Boy Scouts; I mean, not literally. I am writing about ordinary men whose selflessness and honesty are extraordinary. Whether these men are Boy Scouts or not, I do not have any idea. But one thing I am certain; their heroism, courage and dedication to duty are the embodiment of what a true Boy Scout should be.
They are SPO1 Sergs de Constantine Maceren and SPO2 Lyndie Baltazar, members of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit Region 10. Their names might not ring a bell. Their pursuits are uncelebrated and are not headline material by popular standards. No offense meant, good deeds are generally the least of media's interest, perhaps because they are unappealing to the public. Crimes, gore and scandals are. On rare occasions when their stories are picked up, it is expected to just fill insignificant airtime or bottom space of a newspaper's inside pages. Maceren and Baltazar, if I am not mistaken, figured in at least four foiled bribery attempts in less than two months. They've done their job exceptionally well. Nonetheless, we have long accepted the fact; Maceren's and Baltazar's commendable honesty deserve no recognition. We are always told, "in doing what we ought to do, we deserve no recognition." It's OK, we will get used to it.
On one occasion, I remember asking Baltazar why didn't he just accept the money and enjoy it. Although I was asking him in jest, Baltazar answered seriously: "We want them to know that they can no longer get away with bribe. It is the law. Once they break it, they face the consequence!" Unbeknownst to them I have given these police officers my respect for taking the high road since then. After their repeated and persistent refusal to accept bribes, SPO1 Maceren and SPO2 Baltazar of the RHPU-10 earned, not only for themselves but for the entire Philippine National Police, respect and high esteem. They are not only HPG's pride, but the entire PNP's.
The inauspicious confrontation last Thursday afternoon at Fr. Masterson Avenue, Upper Carmen, this city was supposed to be just another ordinary day for SPO1 Maceren and SPO2 Baltazar. Just right after a court duty, they flagged down a heavily-tinted vehicle bearing improvised license plate for a routine document inspection, but without provocation they were greeted with volley of fire from an armed suspect with what appeared to be a fully-customized automatic rifle, prompting Maceren, Baltazar and PO1 Joel Laurente to engage the armed suspect in a shootout. After the encounter, Maceren and Baltazar, including the wounded suspect were rushed to the hospital. Maceren and Baltazar were seriously wounded but Maceren did not make it and succumbed to the fatal gunshot wounds on his chest. Baltazar, on the other hand, is out of danger but still in ICU.
It's sad but we have to stand up for what is right and what we believe in. Integrity starts with being true to what is right and what the organization stands for. It may be costly. It may not always be popular, but it will always be, as Robert Baden-Powel said, pleasing to God.
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