Proving all negative stereotypes of the police force wrong, P/CINSP Emma I. Galero and PO3 Rodelio A. Garcia, together with eight others, stood as proud representatives of the Philippine police as they were awarded by Metrobank Foundation as the 2007 Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS).
P/CINSP Emma I. Galero is the Chief of the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) of the Southern Police District Crime Laboratory Office. She has a degree in BS Criminology, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Masteral Degree in Public Administration. She is currently taking up BS Nursing, but is quick to say that she is not leaving the force for a nursing job abroad. Interestingly, P/CINSP Galero wanted to become a doctor, but by chance she was able to sit-in on a class on criminology and from there decided to serve in the police force.
As the chief of SOCO, P/CINSP Galero is in charge of crime lab examination, crime scene investigation and evidence gathering.
Equally qualified, PO3 Rodelio A. Garcia has a degree in BS Criminology and has been in the service for 17 years.
“My ambition was to be a good police,” he says of his childhood dream. He remembers watching action movies when he was young and wanting to be like the invincible ”bida” (hero). One of Garcia’s notable contributions to society is conducting crime prevention seminars, as well as bomb, fire, and earthquake drills in his community.
Both Galero and Garcia are deeply committed to their work and have no second thoughts about putting their life on the line in the name of service. “Kung kinakabahan ka, mag-resign ka nalang (if you’re scared you might as well resign),” Garcia emphasizes.
One of Galero’s most memorable experiences in the service was during the Bicutan City Jail siege on March 14, 2005, which was also her birthday. Amid flying bullets, her team members shouted “Happy Birthday, Ma’am.” Birthday or not, Galero is always ready to serve. “Hindi kumpleto ang isang araw pag wala akong nagawa sa service (A day isn’t complete if I don’t do something for the service)” she says. As a woman in the service, Galero is quick to point out that women are very much accepted and respected in today’s police force. In fact, she was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Policewomen in the Philippines in the field of criminalistics.
While they are fearless when it comes to their own life, both Galero and Garcia are greatly concerned about their families. “Syempre, ang taong pinaka importante sa akin ang una kong iniisip (of course, I think of the most important person first),” Galero says of her daughter, Angelica. “She’s very proud of me,” she adds. “Gusto niya rin maging pulis at doctor (she also wants to be a police and doctor).”
Garcia adds that now he is more careful “kasi iniisip ko na laging may naghihintay sa akin sa bahay, lalo na ang asawa (because I keep in mind that my wife is waiting for me at home),” he jokes affectionately of his wife, Ana Maria. Both his sons Michael John and Nielson Patrick want to become police officers and even try on his uniform at home. “May dugong pulis (It’s in the blood),” he says proudly.
Being exemplary police officers, Galero and Garcia find it frustrating that the media usually highlights only the negative aspects of the force. “Di nila alam yung extent ng trabaho namin (they don’t realize the extent of our work),” Galero says.
On the issue of corruption in the force, Garcia declares, “Kami mismo galit sa mga kurakot na pulis. Masakit sa aming nalalaman na may mga nagloloko (We ourselves are mad at dishonest cops. It pains us to know there are those who are corrupt).” For both, it is an uphill battle to show to the community that the police force is a group that is built on service to the country.
PSBank, a partner of Metrobank Foundation in the COPS project, recognizes their fight to put the police force in a more positive light. “PSBank believes in providing due recognition to Filipino policemen who are devoted in improving our quality of life,” say Miriam S. Valero, asst. vice president of the Corporate Communication Division of PSBank. “These dedicated policemen allow us to live more peacefully and give us greater confidence to lead fruitful lives.”
Despite being exposed each and every day to crimes and the ills of society, both Galero and Garcia still have hope in the Philippines and the Filipinos. “Kailangan ang support of the community,” says Galero. “Peace and order is everyone’s business,” she adds on the role of Filipinos in solving and preventing crime in the country. “Kailangan magsalita ang community (They must speak up),” Galero continues. “Pag may na-witness silang krimen, dapat i-report nila agad. Dapat rin makipagtulungan sa mga NGO at sa community (If they witness a crime, they have to report it immediately. They have to help).”
Galero shares her advice to each Filipino citizen: “Dapat kayo mismo hindi na kailangan bantayan. Maging disiplinado at sumunod sa batas (You should not need policing. Be disciplined and follow the law).”
Garcia agrees, “Hindi malulutas ang krimen kung ang mga pulis lang ang kikilos. Dapat ang community din (The police alone cannot solve criminality. The community has to help).”
Together with their fellow COPS awardees, P/Supt. Joseph Adnol, P/Supt. Gilberto Cruz, P/Supt. Wilson Lopez, SPO2 Geroilan Mudanza, PO2 Girlie Sadano, PO3 Efren Salazar, Jr., SPO1 Pablo Selloriquez, and SPO2 Vladimir Tugonon, Galero and Garcia give hope to the nation as they continue to serve their country and be exemplary models for every Filipino.