DILG XII Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa shared words of wisdom on patriotism to the awardees of the PNP Medal of Merit during one of the regular Monday convocation at the Philippine National Police Regional Office XII recently.
Quoting former French Army officer, statesman and President Charles De Gaulle, she contrasted ‘patriotism’ and ‘nationalism’, which should be both in the heart of every police officer. De Gaulle was credited for the words “patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for other people other than your own comes first.”
The Regional Director, who started to serve in such capacity at the DILG Regional Office XII last January 15, was the guest speaker to the awarding ceremony to give due recognition to the fourteen (14) police officers who displayed meritorious act ‘during the conduct of a major Internal Security Operation in Kiamba, Sarangani Province”.
Police records show that on March 13-17, 2019, 13 members of the PNPRO XII Regional Mobile Force Battalion under the PLT Nixon Budikey, platoon leader, 1204th Maneuver Company, encountered an undetermined number of CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNT) in Sitio Tabutong, Nalus, Kiamba. The said group was commanded by a certain Kumander Gorio or Toto who was apparently in-charge of a camp which was later captured by the government troops. Recovered from the encampment was an NPA flag, firearms and assorted live ammunitions.
Among those who were given the PNP Medal of Merit was Pat. Joeffrey M dela Pena, Pat. Raffy G Frugalidad, Pat. Aldwin T Reyes, Pat. Michael L Santillana, Pat. Elvin P Unggay, Pat. Ekinne T Semilla, Pat. Joffrey F Apalla, Pat. Erin G Monarca, Pat. John Rey A Galochino, Pat. Jessie I Wison, Pat. Roly H Caburnay, Pat. Gilbert D Mariano and Pat Prujie Y Rafanan.
The awarding ceremony was witnessed by the members of the Office of the Regional Director PNPRO XII, namely PCol. Rex M de la Rosa, Deputy Regional Director for Administration, PCol. Ritchie Medardo A Posadas, Acting Regional Chief Directorial Staff, PCol. Oliver A Enmodias, Deputy Regional Director for Operations, PCol Rolly S Octavio, acting chief, Regional Logistics Research and Development Division, PLTC. Jemuel F Siason, acting chief, Regional Operations Management Division, PLTC. Barney P Condes, Commander, Regional Mobile Force Battalion and the officers and staff.
In her speech, RD Leysa re-echoed the call of DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Ano for the members of the police force ‘to be equipped with the right mix of education and training plus sturdy ethical values in serving the public…’
RD Leysa emphasized that ‘there is a need for more public safety heroes,’ especially with the recent developments wherein there had been notable spike in atrocities being perpetrated by the ‘enemies of the state’ and various crimes.
Director Leysa acknowledged the ‘young, brave and bold members of the Mobile Force Battalion who are tasked to combat those who are considered to be the enemies of peace, order and security’ but pointed out that both the law enforcement and government sector ‘can do a lot together if we know patriotism and nationalism, and we know the difference between the two’.
She then rallied the troops to “show our love for our fellowmen, as we serve as police officers” and that there should be a “constant checking of our moral compass so that we know which direction to head on.”
