Officer who feeds street kids wins award

Adult criminals were once children, so Chief Insp. Gerard Ace Pelare thought that doing something to help kids might keep them from causing problems in the future.

The chief of the Consolacion Police Station started last February a program that feeds and educates street children, the Police and Partners Acts of Kindness for Consolacion Kids or Police Packs. It’s now on its 13th edition. For his efforts, Pelare received an award as the best junior commissioned police officer in police community relations (PCR) yesterday morning, during the kickoff ceremony of the 23rd Police Community Relations Month.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 led by Chief Supt. Debold Sinas handed out awards to Pelare and several others.

Consolacion Police Station was also named the best municipal police station for this year.

“More than the recognition, the point that I would like to stress is that policing or law enforcement is never the exclusive domain of the Philippine National Police. Always, it is effectively achieved by and through maximum community participation and involvement of a supportive community,” Pelare said.

Pelare’s superior, Senior Supt. Manuel Javier Abrugena, received the award for the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), which was adjudged as the best provincial police office in PCR. Abrugena is the CPPO director.

Bogo City Police Station was awarded the best city police office in PCR, which Supt. Jeffrey Caballes received as the city’s police chief.

SPO1 Mary Joy Ylanan was recognized as best senior non-commissioned officer, while PO2 Marivic Pepito was awarded as the best junior non-commissioned officer in PCR. Both are from CPPO.

The other awardees were Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) and LCPO Director Senior Supt. Rommel Bernardo Cabagnot as the best city police office and best senior police commissioned officer, respectively.

Civil Service Commission 7 Director Editha Luzano said in her speech that a police officer can “reflect on what more can be done” for the community.

“May you not rest on your laurels, and instead continue to excel and remain steadfast in living the true spirit of professionalism, integrity and excellence in the face of temptation, challenges and danger, even death.”