NAPOLCOM leads 11th police community relations month celebration

by Emma C. Tabalanza

San Fernando, Pampanga -- How does your community relate with the police force in your area and what are your perceptions of men in uniform?

Director Isidro Siriban of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in Region III posed this question to the audience during the kick off ceremony on the twin celebration of the 11th Police Community Relations Month and the National Disaster Consciousness Month” held recently at Camp Olivas in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

Theme of the Police Community Relations Month celebration is “Pulisya at mamamayan, ibayong pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan tungo sa pambansang kapayapaan at kaunlaran” thus makes Siriban’s question very relevant to the occasion.

In order to emphasize the crucial role of the police, Siriban told the story of a brave and principled young policeman during the failed Malacanang siege in what was dubbed as EDSA III. The police officer was reportedly mauled by protesters and he was given up for dead.

In a later interview, the policeman revealed that he had been holding a loaded pistol while being mauled, but he did not use it because “Hindi naman kaaway ang mga protesters, Pilipino din sila”.

For this, Siriban said the police officer became the toast of media in the country because of his having heeded the call of duty to “protect civilians in exchange for his safety”.

This story should inspire us to re-assess our commitment as police officers towards building a firmer foundation and a sound police-community relationship.

Siriban also called on all sectors in the community to support the policemen to become more effective in the performance of their duty.

The annual celebration of the Police Community Relations Month (PCRM) in the month of July was by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 764 dated January 24, 2005 for the police and the private sector to join efforts in the task of maintaining peace and order..

Siriban encouraged everyone to be more focused in generating public awareness and appreciation of the police service.

He said the goal to move our nation forward will be a lot easier to achieve if the police and the private sector will have a harmonious partnership.

The Police Regional Office No. III (PRO3) led by Police Chief Superintendent Ismael Rafanan awarded plaques of recognition to civilians /civic organizations for their untiring support to the programs and projects of the PNP for the protection and welfare of the people in the community in the region.

Siriban, Rafanan, and Supt. Virgilio Fabros, regional police community relations director for Region III handed over the awards to the following :

Sir Edward Artis, chairman, Knightsbridge International Regional Headquarters; Remigio Bitong, Kabalikat CIVICOM-Maria Aurora in Aurora; Nicanor Rubiano, Radio Group of Bataan; Teresita Zafra, president, Soroptomist International, Malolos City, Bulacan; JonJon Pagdanganan, president, Knights of Columbus Council 6000, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; Tess Dungao, president, Pampanga Lions Club; Benigno Chua, president, Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Tarlac City; Rev. Virginia Ducos, Hiyas ng Pag-asa Foundation of Zambales; Richard Agnew, Tourist Auxiliary Police, Angeles City; and Francis Ruben Cabatit, Sr., Maharlika CIVICOM Foundation Inc, Olongapo City.

Siriban expressed his hope that more people would emulate the awardees so that the answer to his question posed earlier would generate a resounding yes! (PIA-Pampanga)