PNP lauds cops who reported for 'Ondoy' duty

MANILA, Philippines - While their own houses were submerged in floodwaters, some 519 policemen reported for duty and helped in the relief and rescue operations for the victims of tropical storm “Ondoy” last Sept. 26.

Their efforts were not left unnoticed as Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa commended the police officers, who he said personify the PNP core values of service, honor and justice.

“But what really inspires us the fact that some of our personnel who were themselves victims of the disaster rose to the occasion to perform the sworn duty to serve and protect,” Verzosa said.

The PNP chief has ordered the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) come up with a complete list of all PNP personnel who were directly affected by tropical storms Ondoy and “Pepeng” in Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon and Northern Luzon.

“We want to extend all possible assistance we can provide to our own personnel who became victims of these natural calamities thru financial and calamity assistance from the PNP and from financial institutions servicing the PNP,” Verzosa said.

The DPRM is set to award the Medalya ng Pagtulong sa mga Nasalanta (PNP Disaster Relief Medal) to PNP personnel who participated in rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations during the recent calamity.

“At the same time, we want to acknowledge the men and women of the PNP who risked their own safety to help other people when floodwaters submerged a huge portion of Eastern Metro Manila and some towns of Rizal and Laguna during the onslaught of… Ondoy in late September and the rain-induced flooding and landslides at the height of tropical storm Pepeng in Central and Northern Luzon in early October,” Verzosa said.

He noted that the PNP leadership also wants to acknowledge the families of these police personnel for their understanding and support to the professional calling of their spouses who heeded the call of duty above their personal obligation to their respective families.    – Cecille Suerte Felipe