MANILA, Philippines - Who among the 125,000 members of the Philippine National Police know by heart the text and substance of the badge of honor?
The National Capital Regional Police Office is set to hold tomorrow recital competition of badge of honor in an effort to promote the PNP virtues of service and to instill in the hearts of every men and women in uniform the honor and pride that comes with donning the police badge.
NCRPO chief Director Leopoldo Bataoil, who will lead the event, said that the recital competition is part of the various campaigns launched by the NCRPO to further motivate its personnel in upholding the integrity of the badge. NCRPO spokesperson Superintendent Rommel Miranda said the competition is aimed to encourage policemen to know by heart the text and substance of the PNP Badge of Honor.
“The PNP Badge is the most widely recognized symbol of authority and public trust, and a source of pride for the dedicated police officers. It is conferred to all policemen to remind them of their primary duty to serve and protect the community, and uphold the law, ” Miranda said. The Badge of Honor stated that “the PNP Badge now pinned on your left breast is the symbol of that legal authority, it is so placed, nearer your heart, to remind you of the fidelity and dedication to duty expected of you as a public servant.”
“You have been entrusted with the badge as a symbol of your worthiness as a police officer to serve and protect the people from whom you derived the power and authority to enforce the laws of the land without fear or favor.”
“You are to oversee the general welfare of the people and ensure that peace and order is maintained at all times. You shall ever be mindful that the police is the protector of the weak, defender of the innocent, and advocate of human rights.”
Walk tall
“Walk tall, head up and bravely face the daily dangers of duty. Keep the badge unsullied and free of any breach of fidelity. By the regularity of our conduct, always endeavor to avoid any aspersion against your institution.” “You are to preserve our cherished customs and traditions and never countenance any deviation from them nor allow them to be infringed.” “Your dignity as a police officer symbolized by the badge is now pinned on your heart. Never swerve from your solemn oath of office; violate your vows; or betray the public trust.” “You are a police officer, wear your badge with honor.”
Miranda said the competition will be divided into two categories, each for Police Commissioned Officers and the Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCO).
He said any PCO with the rank of Police Inspector to Police Senior Superintendent and PNCO with the rank of Police Officer 1 to Senior Police Officer 4 is qualified to compete in the recital that will be held before the flag retreat ceremony in front of the NCRPO Administration Building in Camp Bagong Diwa Regional Police Headquarters.
Miranda said each category will have three winners and will receive cash prizes with trophy. He added that winners shall be adjudge based on posture, articulation and voice quality, delivery and expression and memorization.
“For the champion, a cash prize of P3,000 plus a trophy would be given, the 1st runner up is P2,000 and a trophy and for the 2nd runner up is P1,000 and a trophy. These prizes would be given on the two categories,” said Miranda.