A Day in the Life of a Police Officer

(First of a series)

It was still 5 in the morning, the breeze was cold outside and the bed was inviting. Yet Police Inspector Rex Campos was already awake. Time to rise, because his three dogs that are of Japanese breeding were already barking and crying loudly. Campos who is deputy officer of the elite group popularly known as the Crime Suppression Unit of the Cebu City Police, considers his pets as his entertainers especially when he is working under pressure. Considered by his peers as a very friendly and approachable officer, patient and never complaining, Campos is in the service since 1987. His ambition really was to be a soldier, influenced by his uncles who used to be active members of the defunct Philippine Constabulary.

A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Criminology from the University of the Visayas, Campos started in the service on September 20, 1982 where he was assigned to the then Regional Special Action Force. For five years, he was everywhere in Central Visayas, implementing the anti-insurgency campaign of the government. In 1987, he was transferred to the San Nicolas Police Station where he remained for three months before finally being assigned to the MPG full time, then the CSU when it was established in December 2004. Being at the frontline of any breaking event daily for almost 20 years now, he certainly knows the crime clock just like reading the back of his hand. Saturdays and Sundays are when the minor crimes occur, such as trouble alarm and domestic violence, Campos shared. Fridays and paydays are where the hold-up and robbery incidents happen. " Supervise ra man gyud ko pero kon naay daghang alarma, mokuyog gyud ko."

Like any other person who dreams of greener pasture, Campos in his childhood also aspired to take up Nautical hoping to work abroad. But his brother who was with the PC kept on moving from one place to another so he decided to take up Radio Telegraph Operator, instead. He was told that this course could still enable him to go abroad. After finishing it, he felt he wanted to enroll in Agriculture Technology. He likewise finished it, but a job in the police service beckoned. So he eventually took up Criminology.

Devoted, dedicated and passionate- this was how his wife Leah described him. And why not? Even on a day-off, he still finds time to drop by their office at the Mobile Patrol Group compound to see how things are. For that, Leah joked: "its his work that is his number one, ako ikaduha ra." But she never complains since Campos finds joy in what he is doing. She adds, "if naay problem kay motawag ra man sad ko niya." Thanks to the power of cellular phone.

The reason why he wakes up early is because he is hands on when it comes to preparing the meals for his pets. He wants to see to it that their helper prepares fish and meat for his dogs. Sometimes when he is not out jogging early morning, he goes to the market himself to buy food for the dogs and cats. The pets are considered part of the family; in fact, they have framed pictures in the living room. " Malingaw ra man gud ko nila (pets) kay makaila ra og amo."

The Campos couple has three children, the eldest aged 21 finished Business Administration, the second is 19 years old and a Nursing student while the youngest is 18, and is taking up Computer Science. Because the children are out early, either for school or work, only their parents are left at home. Leah who used to teach is now at home attending to their rooms for rent so by 8:30 Campos leaves home for office because by 9 a.m. he is expected to supervise CSU members who belong to the first shift. He won't be off duty until 11p.m.

The Freeman Lifestyle trailed Campos on a Thursday to see what his typical day is like. So from the MPG compound, he met with us at the City Police Office along Gorordo Avenue around 9:30 a.m. Then we went to the firing range for our interview, but after 20 minutes, a radio message alerted all units of a shooting alarm somewhere in Barrio Luz. By 9:52, Campos along with neophyte members PO1 Mark Retonio and PO1 Juliver Soque were already at the crime scene. A security guard was shot by a hog trader over a disagreement that had something to do with their kids. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, while the perpetrator yielded to Campos who turned him over to the Homicide Section for proper disposition. By 11a.m., the team left the Homicide Section and decided to go roving. "Basta mingaw gani mokuyog ko'g roving kay mao na'y kasagaran naay daghang mangitabo," Campos pointed out. Good thing, there was no eventuality that time except for jeepney drivers who refused to follow the loading and unloading signs along Arellano Boulevard. Later, Campos was already at the MPG office checking communications from higher office.

Earlier on, he received a call from his wife that she would wait for him for lunch. Actually Campos usually do not go home for lunch, but that day was an exemption because he wanted to show us his pets and his house in Katipunan, barangay Labangon. So at 12:05 we were already at the Campos doorstep, warmly greeted by Leah and noisily ushered in by the barking dogs. It was there that Leah told us how devoted her husband is to his job. According to her, in God's grace, Campos has no health problems except for hyper acidity sometimes. The children do not go home for lunch. After an hour, Campos went back to the MPG office, passing through Mambaling straight to the South Coastal Road.

Campos' schedule has become very hectic since last year because aside from the fact that he supervises the CSU he still has duties at the Mobile Patrol Group every 2pm until 11 pm. His main responsibilities are supervising and being in the field. He has no more time for "extra curricular" activities because his route is office and home only. Besides, he said, going off duty at 11 p.m. everyday is really tiring. He would rather go home and spend time with his pets, before finally going to bed after chatting with Leah about the events that transpired in his job. His means of relaxation is playing with the pets and jogging, if he has the time. On days off, he still drops by the office. " I don't relax kay naanad naman ko'g trabaho."

For a workaholic like Campos, it is noteworthy to know that he is the type who never dwells on personal and professional problems, optimistic that there are always corresponding solutions. Of course, there are disappointments but he said he has no regrets whatsoever because everything, he believes, happens for a reason. At 48 years old, Campos said, he is very much fulfilled. " Ang ako raman gyung pangandoy nga mo-retire ko nga opisyal, natuman namana. Dili na ko mo-retire nga ultimo, mao ra gyud nay akong gipaningkamotan. Karon kontento na sad ko sa akong kahimtang basta wala lang ta'y laing tawo nga matamakan, ihangad ra man nako sa langit ang tanan."