EACH time the police force is being bashed only to literally rise from the ashes just like the mythical Phoenix, I would always be reminded of the late Cebuano lawyer, columnist and local historian Clarence Paul Oaminal.

Sad to say, Attorney Oaminal passed away at the very young age of 51 on August 4, 2021 leaving a life of cherished memories. I still remember that day when we had a one-on-one talk at the Dangerous Drugs Board office where he used to be a vice-chairman from 2008 to 2010.

The man really impressed me with his explanations regarding my column entitled “Rugby Republic” where I criticized the failure of the then Macapagal-Arroyo government to address the wanton sale and abuse of the inhalant by even very young street-children. Actually, then DDB chairman-turned Senate President Tito Sotto III asked him to personally seek an audience with me.

Two weeks ago, i joined many in describing the so-called “poster boy” of the former Duterte administration’s war on drugs-Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido-as a “crybaby,” a sour-graping active police official when he claimed that the PNP is the “biggest organized crime syndicate in the country” during a congressional hearing.

A week after Espenido said those words, members of the Philippine National Police headed by General Rommel Marbil are being heaped with praises for finally putting to jail fugitives Alice Guo and Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his four co-accused.

This brings back memories of the late Atty. Oaminal. Just read one of his many writings when he was still alive to honor each and every member of the police force. His writing should encourage all police officers and men to wear their uniform with pride.

Here is how Atty. Oaminal’s writing — made during the former Duterte administration — goes: MY SNAPPY SALUTE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE PNP, THE MOST CRITICIZED AND ABUSED OF OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS.

There are citizens who easily criticize our police. They belittle them, bash and make fun not knowing that our police officers have even much higher qualifications than our politicians. The entry requirement is a ollege degree, Civil Service eligibility. They also undergo neuro and drug examinations not required even to a President.

A newly elected mayor only has to undergo a day of orientation seminar while a police trainee has to spend six months at the Police Training Center for its Public Safety Basic Recruitment Course. After graduation he has to undergo further special skills and field orientation.

But that is not all, a police officer has to do the job, of all the department and agencies of the government combined, a police officer at some time, becomes a teacher, traffic enforcer, an environmental officer, social worker, mediator and everything, he/she does not only gallantly carries a firearm, he/she sometimes carries in his/her head fruits and vegetables in support of the Nutrition Month.

During elections, he/she assigns in areas foreign to him/her and miraculously survives and fulfills its duty without boat fare, meal and accommodation allowances.

A police officer unlike other government or private workers does not have the luxury of overtime pay. A police officer is result-oriented, he/she finishes his mission even beyond its shift whether he is sick or at the best of his/her health, or without having a meal.

That is the reason why there are those who take a nap even while on his shift because the public does not know that he just came from the court, prosecutors’ office or other offices.

Yes, there are rotten eggs or the lazy ones but that is not the general truth, our police officers are men of integrity, they are the reason why this Republic still continue to exists, have you not asked?

That despite the statement of President Duterte that our country has been greatly affected by drugs, this country still exists, law and order is still relentlessly enforced, it is because there are men and women who chose to remain and join the PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE.

They are the real heroes of our country, it is the police who literally die in the war against drugs and communism, for they are in the frontline and ironically they are also our last line of defense against drugs and communism.

You will never hear our police officers answer back or complain to all the stupid criticism against them for they are honorable men and women, who made an oath “IHANDOG NAG-IISANG BUHAY.” To our heroes, to our warriors, may these words comfort you in times of frustration and when you think you are all alone:

“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly. Who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotions.

“Who spends himself in a worthy cause. Who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place will never be with those timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” –Theodore Roosevelt.

“Long Live” to the men and women of the PNP. God bless you, God bless the Republic of the Philippines.