Bag, shoes, big smile

Guests from Interpol contribute gifts for foster children; fund used in party was part of cash Doria received as one of ‘ten most outstanding Filipinos’

The halls of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) headquarters were filled with smiles of 33 foster children in an early Christmas gift- giving activity activity organized for them yesterday morning.

Jane Flores, 12, was surprised when she saw CCPO Director Senior Supt. Joel Doria enter the room to distribute their new school bags and rubber shoes.

“He was the one I saw on television, who said we shouldn’t be afraid of the police,” she said, smiling.

When asked if she believed what he said, Jane answered yes.

“We stayed true to our promise that we will give them gifts. And they promised in return to do good in school. It’s already the tradition of the CCPO in the kickoff of the National Children’s Month,” Doria said.

The fund used was from the P1 million cash Doria received from the Metrobank Foundation for being one of the Most Outstanding Filipinos.

Flores, who hails from Barangay Alaska-Mambaling and 32 other children received new school bags, toiletries and rubber shoes, which were also donated by guests from the Interpol.

Doria said that his guests from the Interpol in Singapore and Australia, Chor Ping Woo, Juan Castellaz Faico and Yiwen Ng, were glad to be part of the program.

“They gave me a courtesy call so I also let them experience the joy of giving. One of them was even teary-eyed because she was touched by the children,” he said.

The kids performed the “Baby Shark” song and sang Yeng Constantino’s song Salamat as a sign of gratitude to Doria and the guests.

Senior Insp. Sheila Gurtiza, Women and Children’s Protection Desk chief of CCPO, said the activity was organized to recognize the rights of the children.

“You all have rights. There are many children who are on the streets right now, neglected by their parents and even used in illegal drugs. The police officers will not hurt but instead we will protect you from those who want to do bad things to you,” Gurtiza said during a speech.

Aside from the city director, police officers who were the foster parents of the children will also give them gifts during Christmas.

SUNSTAR FOTO / AMPER CAMPAñA EARLY CHRISTMAS. Cebu City Police Chief Joel Doria (rear, third from left) made use of the P1 million prize money he received for being awarded Most Outstanding Filipino 2017 by buying school bags and shoes for 33 streetchildren he has put under his...

SUNSTAR FOTO/ AMPER CAMPAÑA SANTA COPS. These children are all smiles after receiving bags and school supplies during an early Christmas party organized for them by the Cebu City Police Office.