During the two-day final judging of the Search for Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) last June 4 and 5, the members of the Final Board of Judges commended the finalists for their dedication to their sworn duty. They were also one in saying that their judging experience, which allowed them to interact with the finalists, changed the way they look at policemen. Here are their exact words from the interviews conducted by the Corporate Communications Unit of the Metrobank Foundation.

On how his being a judge changed his perception about policemen “

I found it very fulfilling. I had a total turnaround with the way I view the policemen. I don’t normally deal with them, and I had the stereotype of a policeman from what I read in the papers, see on TV but it’s just mostly negative. I didn’t realize there are still so many police officers who are very idealistic, honorable and imbued with great, deep love of country.” 

On what the public should know about the Filipino policemen 

“The public should realize and be convinced that  the policemen are there to protect them, that the policemen are their friends whom they can run to in case there’s a peace and order problem.” 

On the importance of private sector recognition to PNP  

“These people don’t earn much, and I think it means a great deal to them when they realize that the community appreciates their work, and is happy with them. So it’s important that the community, the people, appreciate them with what they do, because I think that will prod them to do better.” 

On the outstanding policemen “

They have honor, they love their job, and they are proud of being policemen. You could see from the way they behave and the way they talk that they are people that we should be proud of. Now I can sleep soundly at night, knowing that there are people like them in the police force.”  

2. HON. RIZALINA SEACHON-LANETE (Vice Chairman of the Final Board of Judges)    Representative, 3^rd District of Masbate 

On how her being a judge changed her perception about policemen 

“It was an eye-opening experience for me. We have to give our police a pat on the back for doing their job. Our perception is that all policemen are not doing good, that the entire system is bad.  But after hearing and reading about their achievements and experiences, I realized that there are still a lot of police officers, who, in spite of the odds, are doing their job well.”

On the importance of this recognition for the police force 

“This Search will let them know that their efforts are not ignored and taken for granted. They serve us and this is only our way of giving back to them for the service they rendered us.” 

On a personal anecdote that involved the police 

“One time I was ambushed and the guard assigned to me really did his job. He risked his life to protect me. And because of him, here I am, alive and a member of this COPS Search committee. So I always say, my life isn’t mine anymore. My people own me. I tell them that they have to protect me because by protecting me, they are protecting my district whom I work for now. I represent them now.” 

On what the House of Representatives can do to help the police 

“We need to start with value formation and this is what Gen. Versoza is doing, with the transformation program. In case of the Congress, we need to pass the bills that are geared towards helping them, for instance, monetary compensation so that they won’t ask for kotong. Of course, there is the concern on their housing needs as well as education. Our committee is also currently working on the police reorganization system.”  

3. HON. RAMON A. ILAGAN    Mayor, Cainta, Rizal 

On how his being a judge changed his perception about policemen 

“It somehow changed my perception. I found the policemen really down-to-earth, and they have proven that there are still a lot of good cops. They are very dedicated to their jobs, to the point that they are risking their lives and limbs.” 

On the importance of this recognition for the police force 

“What the Metrobank Foundation did is a morale booster to the members of the PNP. Because somehow, we have to tell the public, that the police, as an organization, is not corrupt and not dirty. There are plenty good policemen who are dedicated and committed to their jobs. This is a good opportunity to tell the public that there are good cops in the country, and that we are proud of them.  The search also paves the way for competition in the PNP. This boosts their morale. The COPS search also makes the police aim for professionalism in service.” 

On the importance of the support of LGU to the police 

“It is very important because if the LGU is supportive of the police, it can provide additional budget for the police, which will boost their morale. This budget can also be used to provide them allowance, training and additional service vehicles and firearms. Since the mayor is the supervisor of the barangays, the Barangay Intelligence Network can be used effectively to maintain peace and order. The LGU can do so many things that can boost the morale of the police.” 

4. DR. ALFONSO A. UY    President, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. 

On his perception about policemen 

“I have had a very good perception of the police even before I became a judge for this COPS Search. The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. has been working with the police in the Chinese-Filipino community, and they have done a very good job. It is true that while some of us have negative impression about the police, by and large, most of them, I think, are good policemen. They are doing their jobs and they are doing it very well.”  

5. ATTY. ADEL A. TAMANO    President, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila 

On his judging experience 

“Arduous. These policemen and women are all models of their profession. It’s hard to judge when the contestants are almost of equal caliber. They are all assets of this nation.” 

On how his being a judge changed his perception about policemen 

“Their service backgrounds and answers to the propounded questions have reassured me that we can rely on our policemen and women.” 

On the importance of the youth being informed about the heroism and bravery of our policemen 

“The students and the Filipino youth will follow their examples and strive to be law-abiding citizens. They will be inspired by the hard work, dedication and sacrifices of our police force to keep the citizenry safe and their communities orderly.”  

6. MGEN. RAMON J. FAROLAN, JR. RET.    Columnist, Philippine Daily Inquirer 

On how his being a judge changed his perception about policemen 

“It has been an eye-opener even for someone who has been dealing with the security forces for some time. I agree that there are really more good policemen than rogue cops, and that is also seen in the finalists’ interviews. Talking with them really gave us a better picture of the men and women who comprise the PNP.” 

On the importance of this recognition for the police force 

“Programs like this accentuate the positive. Definitely, there is no doubt that when you carry out this type of activities, it’s the only the positive that comes out. It adds to the reputation of the police organization. People would realize that there are many good cops not only the ones we read about in the newspapers. This can help improve the image of the police.

”On the characteristics that he saw on this year’s finalists 

“I saw a continuing sense of idealism that they are there to serve the people and not kotong which ordinary Filipinos would usually associate with the police. I can say that there is hope for the organization, that these officers felt that they were there to serve the nation, to serve their fellow citizens even at the sacrifice of life and other opportunities where material benefits could be obtained.”  

7. SR. EVA FIDELA C. MAAMO, SPC, MD    President, Foundation of Our Lady of Peace    1997 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Community Leadership 

On a personal anecdote that involved the police 

“I already had a beautiful experience about the police. When I was still in high school, way back in 1970s, we were informed that my father, who was a mayor that time, was about to be kidnapped. It was election time, and since my father was a strong candidate, his opponent thought of having him kidnapped so he couldn’t assume the position. The night before the elections, my father was kidnapped.

When the policemen knew about this, they went to my mother and told her that they will save my father. The policemen were able to intercept the kidnappers and they rescued my father. That’s one thing I’ll never forget about the policemen.” 

On the importance of this recognition for the police force 

“This recognition inspires the policemen to do their duties the best way they can. The COPS search boosts their morale. And most importantly, this will help the public to look at policemen with dignity.” 

On how she can help the police force 

“I feel that I should give more attention to them and their families. Because I work in the foundation and we are for the total human development of the poor and underprivileged. I feel that the policemen really need support from us. We have a scholarship program. We also have a hospital that can offer them free medical services and accommodation. We can help them, their families and even the patients that they refer to us.” 

 8. MS. CHARMAINE V. CANILLAS    President, Philippine Association of National Advertisers    Chair, Advertising Board of the Philippines 

On the outstanding policemen 

“I did not expect the empathy that I felt for the candidates. The achievements that they mentioned, putting their lives in danger and trying to keep soul and body together with such a meager salary takes more than dedication. It is really a commitment.   

I salute these people. They are not in cushy jobs, they do not stay in air-conditioned rooms. They are out in the field, they think of ways that would be relevant to the communities that they serve. It is both creative, and it also requires bravery and organization. Above all, it requires focus. It is very sad that there are so many good cops that are not given air time or venue for awareness, as much as the scoundrels are being given.

I just wish they will be given more visibility, so that more people will get to know their stories and more people will be inspired.” 

On the importance of the COPS Search for the police force 

“The competition is telling the truth about the situation of our policemen. The truth really is that there are many, many good policemen; we just have to give them proper attention, and reward them, not necessarily through money but through recognition. They should actually be advertised in a sense. This competition is the truth about their accomplishments.” 

On how the Metrobank Foundation, through the COPS Search, strengthens the PNP as an institution 

“The Metrobank Foundation provided the PNP a venue to showcase the finest policemen, the best of the best. Metrobank has made it very inspirational to the policemen for them to do good.  I commend Metrobank for spearheading this.

The private institution is a third party organization, it can neither be accused of any bias. When awards are given, there is nothing to be gained really, but out of a good and sound corporate citizenship thrust on the part of Metrobank, there is this venue now.  To go against the grain and reward policemen, when the general perception is that there is no good policeman, is really a breakthrough for me.

These should be the kind of projects that private corporations should be undertaking, going against the grain. It is very easy to do good if there is already a positive predisposition towards that advocacy. In this case, there was none. It is really turning around the mindset of the people.”