By Eva Visperas
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The police director of Pangasinan reminded the police force that serving in the uniform is not just about enforcing the law but also about upholding the ideals of integrity, respect for rights, and responsibility in every action.
Police Colonel Rollyfer Capoquian echoed this reminder during the 31st PNP Ethics Day celebration held on January 6, 2025 at Camp Antonio Sison in this capital town.
The event brought together key officials and police personnel who gathered to reflect on the theme: “Serbisyong May Integridad at Pananagutan Tungo sa Ligtas at Mapayapang Pilipinas” (Service with Integrity and Accountability for a Safe and Peaceful Philippines).
In his speech, Capoquian made a strong call for integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct among his officers. He emphasized the significance of the PNP’s core values and their role in maintaining law and order.
“PNP Ethics Day is not just a celebration, but also a reminder to every police officer that their actions must reflect the core values of God, country, people, and nature,” Capoquian said. He added that these principles help ensure “we maintain morality and discipline, making our society safer and more prosperous.”
The Pangasinan police director also highlighted the importance of internal policies and training programs in fostering a police force that upholds high standards of service.
Guest speaker Atty. Philipp Raymund Rivera, provincial officer of the National Police Commission in Region 1, underscored the importance of public trust and the self-sacrifice that comes with being a public servant.
“As policemen, we must recognize that our duty is not only to protect the public, but also to uphold a high degree of ethical standards,” Rivera said. “This includes making personal sacrifices, such as being on duty during the holidays, while other government employees enjoy their time off,” he added.
Rivera emphasized that while integrity can be difficult to maintain, it is crucial for both personal growth and the credibility of the PNP. He urged the police to act ethically, even when no one is watching, emphasizing that true integrity is not determined by public opinion, but by individual actions and decisions.
“In public service, integrity is not negotiable,” Rivera added. “It is the foundation of trust, and we, as police officers, must demonstrate this every day through our actions,” he stressed.
He also discussed the critical issue of accountability, stressing that the public’s eye is always on the police force. Rivera pointed to the numerous disciplinary authorities within the PNP, including the Chief of Police, Local Chief Executives, and the Internal Affairs Service, as clear indicators of the high moral and ethical expectations placed on police officers.
“The numerous disciplinary bodies are not because we expect failure, but because the public demands the highest standards of conduct,” he said.
As part of the celebration, attendees were reminded of the PNP’s Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, which calls for officers to serve mankind with dignity, integrity, and respect. Rivera ended his speech by urging the men and women of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office to lead by example and continue striving for ethical service in all their duties.
“A true police officer wears the badge of honor not only because of the authority it carries, but also because it symbolizes the trust and moral responsibility bestowed upon them by the public,” Rivera said.
During the event, PNP personnel who demonstrated exemplary conduct were honored for their good deeds. Recognized officers included P/Cpt Henry Catabay, for his swift response to a motorcycle fire in Dulay, Lingayen; P/Lt Celeste Cereno, who assisted a woman who gave birth inside a mobile patrol car on October 30, 2024; P/CMS Jocelyn Parocha, who helped an elderly woman found wandering in Binalonan; PSSg Edselmar Gario, who rescued two drowning civilians at Barangay Lopez, Binmaley Beach; and PSSg Jennifer Reyes, who donated her grandmother’s wheelchair to a differently-abled resident of Barangay Palikpik, Rosales.