Hero cops risk lives saving people trapped in floods

MANILA, Philippines - Inspector Anthony Alising of the National Capital Region Police Office-Regional Police Safety Battalion (NCRPO-RPSB) and Senior Inspector Abner Pedrosa, police precinct commander in Barangay Tumana, Marikina City, risked their lives saving people trapped in floods caused by monsoon rains that struck Metro Manila last week.

Alising said rescuing people trapped on the roof of their houses was the highlight of his career in public service.

He was the team leader of the NCRPO units dispatched to Barangay Napindan in Taguig where authorities evacuated a group of people attending a wake.

Alising said some of the people they rescued tried to give them money for their effort but they turned down the offers.

Like Alising, Pedrosa left his family to help in rescuing his neighbors and residents of Marikina from floods.

Director Lina Sarmiento, chief of the Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR), said the PNP will remain on disaster alert status.

HOPE launched

Meanwhile, the search is on for five police officers in Metro Manila who have shown excellence in their profession and continue to be an inspiration for the community.

Dubbed as Honorable Outstanding Police Enforcer (HOPE), the project is a joint undertaking by the NCRPO, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Manila and the Basilio Group.

The project was launched during yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony at the NCRPO headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

“Truly, a private organization or group always extends a helping hand to the community and the government. It existed to be a partner of the government to raise the economic status in life of every deserving citizen, public employee and poor family in the community,” NCRPO chief Director Alan Purisima said.

The HOPE Awards has five categories: Outstanding Police Commissioned Officer-Administrative, Outstanding Police Commissioned Officer-Operations, Outstanding Police Investigator, Outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer-Operations and Outstanding Non-Uniformed Personnel.

The awardees will receive a cash prize, a trophy and certificate of recognition.

“This recognition will surely enable our personnel to work more and do their assigned tasks with enthusiasm, aggressiveness, dedication and devotion,” Purisima said.

“I thank the Manila Jaycees and the Basilio Group for believing in their police’s hard work and efficiency. Rest assured that the NCRPO leadership will do its part in providing our personnel the opportunity to showcase their best in serving the public,” he added.

The JCI-Manila was represented by its president, Rodney Dizon, and the Basilio Group by Luisito Basilio Jr.

The JCI-Manila is a non-profit and non-stock organization geared toward developing leadership abilities of young men and women through community service.

The Basilio Group, on the other hand, is a partnership of private individuals, representatives of various sectors and non-profit organizations formed to oversee the HOPE Awards.

The deadline for filing of applications is on Oct. 5, covering outstanding singular feats or series of accomplishments between Oct. 1, 2011 and Sept. 30, 2012. – Non Alquitran