I FULLY agree with Davao City Police Office chief Colonel Hansel Marantan when he declared that police and government personnel not attending their flag-raising ceremonies every Friday will be barred from entering their camp if they can’t explain their absence.

As we celebrated the Day of Valor or Araw ng Kagitingan last April 9, I believe it is also high time for all other PNP commanders to do the same and show real love for our country where indeed, the words nationalism and patriotism are obviously missing. Time for all of us to honor the Flag and show our love and respect to the Colors, no ifs and buts.

Sad to say, there are many Filipinos who seemed to be rather ignorant of the Flag law and don’t understand that the most important part of a flag ceremony is respect for the flag itself. This is evident in big shopping malls where some people appeared to be oblivious of an ongoing flag ceremony and continue to walk and talk.

This is also evident inside movie theaters where some people don’t pay attention to the singing of the national anthem. There was a time that I called the attention of mall guards in accosting two men who continued talking in their seats while the anthem is being played. I learned are not from other religions later and asked the guards to bring them to the nearby police station so they can be taught a lesson.

Filipinos must understand that the law requires that the moment the first note of the anthem is heard, everyone in the premises shall come to attention and place their right palms over their chests; moving vehicles shall stop; those with hats shall uncover; while those in military, scouting, security guard, and citizens military training uniforms shall give salute prescribed by their regulations.

I’m writing about this after learning that Col. Marantan last week called on all personnel of different Philippine National Police National Operational and Administrative Support Units and other government agencies holding office inside their camp to honor the sacrifices of our heroes by religiously attending their flag-raising ceremonies every Monday.

The official lamented the fact that other police personnel and government employees holding office inside the Davao City police headquarters have been missing each time they hold their traditional flag-raising ceremony at exactly every 7 a.m. Monday.

Calling it every government worker’s sacred duty, the Davao City police chief cited Section 18 of Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 19 and the PNP Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development Manual which requires every government personnel to attend the Monday rites.

“It has been observed by the undersigned that for the past nine months since his assumption as City Director on July 2024, no personnel from the PNP National Support Units and other agencies inside DCPO Camp are participating in the conduct of Flag Raising Ceremony as mandated under RA No. 8491 otherwise known as the Flag Law and the CSC Memorandum Circular No. 19, series of 2012,” Col. Marantan said in a memorandum.

“”Understandably, Flag Raising Ceremony is not only a command activity of the PNP but it is a sacred duty of pledging one’s allegiance to the Flag to be observed by all government offices especially those inside camps. Non-observance of this legal obligation is not only a sign of deteriorating discipline within our ranks but also an obvious disregard or violation of the Flag Law and the Civil Service rules,” he added.

Col. Marantan said that in compliance with the Civil Service rules and instruction of PNP chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, they simply conduct the ceremony within a 30-minute duration which usually starts from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.

“Henceforth, based on these observations, it is therefore the responsibility of the undersigned that the aforementioned activity is strictly observed by directing all government employees to physically attend the Flag Raising Ceremony. In this regard, the undersigned hereby enjoins the Heads of Offices within DCPO Camp to attend the traditional Flag Raising Ceremony at DCPO Grandstand at exactly 7:00 AM every Monday,” he said.

Col. Marantan said his memorandum covers all personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, PNP Drug Enforcement Group, City Explosive and Canine Unit and the Regional Medical and Dental Unit.

He also ordered that the 2nd Platoon, 2nd Company of the formation on their Parade Ground during the flag-raising ceremony be composed of personnel from the other PNP support units and other government offices.

Col. Marantan said he will see to it that those who will not attend their flag-raising rites will be barred from entering their camp once the program has started. “Dito sa DCPO on Monday, No Attendance in flag-raising, no entry. Marami pang hindi nag-attend pero next time you will be forced to attend. Dapat din kayong umattend na hindi napipilitan because that’s part of our duties and responsibilities. You are inside camp, thus must abide by rules inside camp. That’s s very simple,” he said.

When he spoke to his men last Monday, Col. Marantan said everybody inside the Davao City police headquarters must realize they have more reasons to attend the flag-raising ceremonies since the country celebrates our Day of Valor.

He also asked all concerned: When was the last time we thought of Araw ng Kagitingan , the Independence Day, the Filipino-American Friendship Day or is it just an ordinary day for others?

The official cited the Death March and the Fall of Corregidor which showcased the bravery of our soldiers and where more than 17,000 Filipino troops perished.

“These are very important events, very important sa culture natin at baka mawala na lang if we stop remembering them,” he said. Col. Marantan said Filipinos should also not forget known statesmen like Senators Jovito Salonga, Pepe Diokno, Lorenzo Tañada, Rafael Salas and Ferdinand Marcos Sr. as well as our heroes Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Juan Luna when he spoke.

“One article said kaya ganito na lang tayo wala nang Statesmen, mga showmen na lang and it’s very painful to hear that. Sana mali ito. Pero kaya pala, flag-raising on Mondays, hirap na tayong mag-participate,” he said.

Col. Marantan also cited the infamous Marawi City Siege which left 165 security forces and 47 civilians dead and displaced over 359,000 local residents as a result of a terrorist attack.

“Seeing the flag soaring high up in the sky, yun ang imporante. Baka malimutan natin na madaming buhay na nasayang na dahil sa ating bayan,” he said. Very well said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon