289 new cops take oath, sent off to 6-mo. training

Parents, wives, girlfriends and children became emotional yesterday morning as 289 successful applicants for police officer 1 took their oath during a ceremony at the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 parade grounds.

PRO 7 Director Jose Mario Espino administered the oath after the Philippine National Police’s general orders were read to the recruits.

The officers were immediately sent off to their six-month training at the Regional Training Center (RTC) 7 in Consolacion town. But before leaving the PRO 7 camp, they were given five minutes to bid their loved ones goodbye.

Among the new police officers is Archerie Ann Abian, a fresh criminology graduate from Tubigon, Bohol. “Mao ra gyod ni akong gusto ever since bata pako. Wala jud koy laing gusto kung di makaserve ug makatabang, makaprotekta sa mga tao (This is all I wanted to be since I was a child. I just want to serve and help and protect the people),” she said.

She spent five minutes with her parents, her younger brother and boyfriend who were all by her side during the oath taking. “Proud kaayo mi niya nga naabot jud siya diri sa iyang gusto jud (We’re so proud that she’s finally where she wants to be),” her mother said in tears.

Constantcia Atay from Siqui- jor Province also got emotional as she watched her son, Jones Mark, fall in line to board the bus that will bring them to the RTC camp. “I feel nervous, excited and afraid and thankful to God. This is his choice, I cant do anything about it,” she said in an interview, his voice crackihng as she tried to hold back tears.

Another mother, Josette Villardo from Dalaguete, southern Cebu, lamented the short time she had to be with her daughter before she goes to training.

“The five minutes they gave us is not enough, considering that the training will last six months,” she said.