"There will always be bad people in the world..." so goes this quote that I stumbled upon on the internet. And yes, that is true. In any profession, there will always be bad people - politicians, lawyers, government employees, doctors, actors, and even cops.
 |
| Oh, the irony. |
Here in the Philippines, we have had our fair share of
'bad cops' - those who are abusive of power, corrupted by money, and evade agency rules and culture just to satisfy their greed. A classic example is this '
kotong cop' who tried to extort money from the family of a drug suspect.
 |
NCRPO Chief Brigadier General Guillermo Eleazar berates
Police Corporal Marlo Quiebete for his actions. |
Police Corporal Marlo Quibete was about to get away with Php 20000 in cash, aside from the motorcycle owned by the family of the drug suspect, but was foiled in the
entrapment operations of the Regional Special Operations Unit. When
NCRPO Chief Brigadier General Guillermo Eleazar came face to face with this
'rotten egg', he was not able to contain his anger and gave the latter a serious scolding, complete with finger-pointing and a barrage of expletives.
 |
| Sorry, not sorry. |
I really can't blame the Chief, though. He has been working so hard to clean the ranks and rebuild the image of the Philippine National Police, only to be tarnished again and again by these scalawags. He's not sorry for what he did, and I totally understand that from a parent's perspective. I wouldn't tolerate my child's bad behavior, and if he needs to be punished, he will be.
 |
| Busted - Police Officer 1 Ferdinand Rafael. |
Another case of
'bad cop busted' is that of Police Officer 1 Ferdinand Rafael, who was nabbed for
trafficking and use of prohibited drugs. He too, received a rebuke for his unlawful actions. Similarly, the two policemen were chastised for
'moonlighting' as escorts for a businessman in Pasay City.
 |
| Busted for the unauthorized police escorting. |
These
'bad cops' that I have mentioned have been booked and charged, and are now detained. Serves them right for going down the wrong path and choosing money and power over ethics and morals. Time and again, General Eleazar has warned the police force not to partake in illegal activities, otherwise they will have to face the consequences.
But like in dramas and movies, the good always outweighs the bad. There may be a few rotten apples in the barrel, but there are more good ones. And in the PNP, the
'good cops' get rewarded for their passion to serve, bravery in the face of adversity, and dedication to their work and the country.
 |
| Recipients of the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting. |
Among those who received the
Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (PNP Wounded Personnel Medal) are PO3 Christina Villanueva, PO1 Arman Cañezares, SPO1 Jerry Pascual, PO1 Jonathan Peralta, PO1 Marino Dulagan, and PO1 Leo Mar Orence.
 |
| Recipients of the Medalya ng Kagalingan. |
Some policemen also received the
Medalya ng Kagalingan (PNP Medal of Valor), the highest award of the Philippine National Police. These policemen are: Police Chief Inspector Sandie Caparroso, Police Chief Inspector Alfonso Saligumba III, SPO2 Emilio ABoyolen, PO3 Mario Maramag, PO2 Marlon Ico, PO2 Raymund John Sansano, PO1 Eustaquio Nuarin II, PO1 Francis Miko Bose, PO1 Rodel Sibal, PO1 Marvin Fang-asan, PO1 Roy Uanan, and PO1 Eddie-son Galpao.
 |
| Police awardees. |
Looks like we still have more good men (and women) in the police force, and I see a glimmer of hope in this picture. Famous philosopher
Jean Jacques Rousseau believed that man is good by nature. I think so, too.
