Bless Our Cops 2011

More and more communities are blessing the PNP through the Bless Our Cops Program and have heeded the call of transform the PNP: transform the Nation. The first quarter of 2011 alone saw various movements from communities from Manila to Appari. Churches and laymen have changed their attitude from cursing the police to blessing them and have committed to be of help in creating a God-Centered, Service Oriented and Family Based Philippine National Police. Here are some of their stories:

BOC Tarlac : When God Beckons.

Having a cup of coffee, singing Christian hymns, listening to ministerial news over DZAS and praying and seeking God’s guidance was the daily non-Sunday routine of Ptr. Crensencio “Cris” Alipio.  Alike most pastors; the layman from Victoria, Tarlac was having his typical day when something out of the ordinary happened.

For years, Ptr. Cris together with Ptr. Leonardo “Deo” Ilagan,  and Ptr. Julius Arriesgado have been ministering to the police force city of Tarlac. Each has been a veteran of different police strategies, programs and ID’s to reach the PNP. Although they have utilized each and every means and experience to minister to the police, each passing leadership and personnel change made it quite challenge for them to re-enter the PNP. God suddenly blessed them and gave them a wide open door.

Ptr. Cris who was listening to DZAS chanced upon Bro. Dodie Lacuna’s radio program wherein PSSUPT Cesar Binag was explaining the concept of the Integrated Transformation Program (ITP) of the PNP. The interview focused on the steps taken by the PNP to improve its system as well as steps to make the community especially churches to be much more involved with the reforms at the PNP. The interview concluded with a challenge to each and every church to take their respective city for Christ.

“A great sense of joy overcame me and since I was on my way to Manila, I knew I had to know more of the program…I have to go to Camp Crame.” Ptr Cris said proudly.

Armed only with this information, Ptr. Cris went to Manila with determination and faith like that of Paul’s when he heeded the Macedonian vision. But like all triumphant journey, they have their share of obstacles.

At the gate of Crame, he was halted by a Head Support Service Patrol who was having a bad day. “Saan ka pupunta?!” the gruff said. Armed with the only information he knew, Ptr. Alipio responded with a smile, “Kay Col. Binag”.  The name rang a bell and he was given access.  

Upon entering, he realized how sprawling Camp Crame was and that there could be hundred police officers whose surname is Binag. Undeterred, he carried on and asked “Kilala nyo po ba si Col. Binag?” to anyone he passed upon. Luckily, a Police Chief Superintendent (General) passed by and responded quite unreservedly. “Kilala ko yun! Taga-PMO yun!” (We believe it was Kuya Sammy Tucay)

Off to the Project Management Office (PMO) he went, where a queue of visitors has already settled. Fortunately for Ptr. Alipio, Col. Binag was summoned at the National Head Quarters at that time and had to make a hasty exit and postpone all his meetings with his visitors.  Upon seeing Col. Binag on his way out of his office, Ptr. Cris did not hesitate and briefly introduced himself and his intent.

Fatefully, it was a Thursday and Col. Binag invited Ptr. Cris to join the weekly pastor’s prayer meeting taking place that very same morning at his residence. After hearing different testimonies from different pastors ministering to the PNP that morning, Ptr. Cris returned the following day to learn more of the ITP program from the PMO.

Upon returning to Tarlac, Ptr. Cris, who was brimming with joy, shared his experience to Ptr. Julius, Ptr. Deo and other co-workers. The ITP was received whole-heartedly by all pastors ministering to the PNP in their different localities in Tarlac.  A  training for volunteers immediately ensued in Gerona, Tarlac.

 Seeing that the response for the Bless Our Cops program was tremendous and the venue in Gerona was cramped due to the reponse, Ptr. Mamerto Bernabe of the Tarlac City Pastors Association, who too had a passion for reaching his city, offered his church at the heart of Tarlac City to be the venue. The training lasted for three months and it culminated in an ITP graduation rites last November 3, 2010 wherein over 50 churches attended. 

50 churches who were all blessed and granted access to the PNP God’s providence and one man’s faith to heed God’s call.



BOC Tarlac:  When God Beckons (Part 2)

For almost 10 years, Ptr. Jim De los Santos have been faithfully and passionately been blessing the PNP not only in his hometown of Cainta and the Rizal province, but wherever God leads him. With or without assistance or resources and only indomitable faith in hand, God has led him to other cities and town to continue ministering to the Police. Seeing that Tarlac was ripe and ready, Ptr. Jim heeded God’s call.

Together with PCINSP Fred Obar, Boi Manuel and other members of the CORPS Movement, they proceeded to Tarlac city to train BOC volunteers from all over Tarlac. After three months of police ministry training, God touched Ptr. Jim to stay and to further enhance to the commitment and the skills of the new volunteers of Tarlac.

So he invited over Elder Mike Aspirin of Joshua Ministry who is valuable ally of the CORPS movement and Ptr. Paul Weiss of Life Disciples Ministry. Together, they added another 2 months correspondence training in which pastors were equipped with the knowledge on how to conduct ministry to the government and armed forces and how to make disciples at their own level.

The second part was truly a blessing to the pastors as they have more in-depthly prepared for the harvest in the ranks of the PNP. Thank God for men heeding the call of God.

BOC Cagayan: A Northern Frontier Opens

Further North, Eighty spiritual and community leaders from the different towns of Cagayan and its surrounding provinces have pledged their blessings to the Police Stations of Cagayan as they took the challenge God Bless Our Cops last February 2, 2011 at the Northside Baptist Church Auditorium in Tuguegarao City.

Cagayan Provincial Police Director PSSUPT Ma.O R. Aplasca and his men, encouraged the churches of the Independent Baptist Missions for Asians under Dr. Richard Bitun, to help create a God-Centered, Service-Oriented and Family-Based Philippine National Police by blessing policemen through prayers, gift giving and being part of Cagayan Police Office’s community engagement.

“This was really an eye opener from me. I used to curse and lambast policemen for their faults, but after attending this event I realized that they faces a much more difficult challenge in everyday life  than most of us since they are keepers of the peace, influence and power” said to Rev. Loreto Caranguin, Regional Director of the IBMA. 

GBOC challenged the said leaders to be part of national transformation by starting out with the PNP  which is the most visible and most influential public agency. “Im very elated that Dr Richard Bitun, Rev. Rodrigo Felipe JR, Rev. Loreto Caranguin, Rev. Remigio Requizo  and their pastors  has responded.” exclaimed PSSUPT Aplasca.

“I believe that as a policeman you should a good balance of three aspects in your life: personal, professional and family. Giving those three adequate attention is hard to do, but if you put God  in the center of it you will strike a balance that is why we are tapping our local church base here in Cagayan to strike a balance in our police work“. He added.

In return for their support, the Cagayan Provincial Police Office with the help of the Regional Police Health Service of PRO 2 conducted a free medical check-up to pastors and different church workers of IBMA.

The event also featured a discussion on the best practices to best assist the PCR work of a Provincial Police Station by former Santa Barbara Chief of Police PSUPT Eric Noble and Health Service Comptroller PSUPT Bernard Banac and Bless Our Cops Head Coordinator Bernabe V. Manuel Jr.

BOC Apayao: The Northern Frontier Expands

Two months later, PSSUPT Nestor M. Bergonia, Apayao’s Police Provincial Director also opened his police stations to the pastors of IBMA with the GBOC program held last February 23, 2011 at the Luna Municipal Hall in Luna, Apayao.

The community effort led by Dr. Richard Bitun, North Luzon Director of IBMA , Ptr. Paul Tagoc of the Greenfield Baptist Church in Santa Marcela, Apayao who is also the IBMA’s Provincial Director for Apayao, Ptr Remigio Requizo the Police Ministry Coordinator of IBMA and Ptr. Remigio Gonzales, a former policeman turned pastor who is ministering at the Shoreline Baptist Church in Santa Ana, Cagayan pledged their support to be a blessing to the police in the different municipalities of Apayao.

The event was witnessed by Luna’s Municipal Mayor Betty Caluya-Verzola, Ptr Dan Afuang of JOSHUA Ministry and foreign missionaries under Armlynk from Bulgaria, Thailand and India. (See related stories)

“I’m thankful of the support of the CORPS Movement Inc. and Col. Aplasca to our city police and our province, Thank you for gracing our town with your BOC program.” Mayor Verzola replied.

PSSUPT Ma.O Aplasca was again instrumental in bringing PSSUPT Bergonia and the pastors of IBMA together as both would like to beneficially benefit from the relationship. The police would have a solid community support while the church could widen its mission field into government.

BOC Manila: Steadfast

Back in Metro manila, for more than eleven years, Ptr Noel D. Cortez continues to be a gleaming light amidst the wilderness named the Manila Police District. Through triumphs and tribulation, he continues to aspire that one day the tough and callous men of the capital will truly give their hearts to God.

Last February 28, which is also Ptr. Noel’s Birthday, the humble laymen of the Jesus Never Fails Church requested his pastor friends, church members, community leaders and his CORPS movement family to join him in a small thanksgiving in his church. The small birthday gathering also served as an opportunity to share the CORPS Movement’s vision to all attendees.

Those present, including PSUPT Remigio Sedanto, Chief of Police, Police Station 10 and his PCR head Officer PO3 Edgardo Silva head, were amazed at the scope and breadth of how God has truly blessed Ptr. Noel in his ministry with the Police.

His friends, Ptr. Rene Mercado, Ptr. Romar Soto, Ptr. Ephraim Mojica, Ptr. Jun Dela Paz, and Ptr. Bert Cassasola have accepted the essence of the Bless Our Cops program and have signified their intent of joining the Thursday Group meeting of the CORPS Movement.

His church members were happy with Ptr. Noel’s desire to reach his community and his work with the CORPS Movement. They pledged their support to him and his police ministry and on their own will try to be a blessing to the Police.

The community leaders led by Chairwoman Mila Sabado and her council were also thankful for Pastor Noel that his police ministry also benefitted his community’s peace and order situation.

As a birthday prayer, Ptr. Noel wished upon God that this year would be more productive and effective as his try to recruit more volunteers to bless the city of Manila.

The Thursday Faithful

There are still others who are faithful in there calling to bless the police whose faith, commitment and passion has never wavered. They minister to their respective cities and also been a part of the Compassion Ministry who visits the sick of the PNP-General Hospital among them Ptr. Atil of Navotas and the Northern Police District, Ptr. Ruben and Ptr. Dong of Valenzuela, Ptr. Eli of Malabon, Ptr. Dexter of Bacoor Cavite, Ptr. Smiley of Caloocan, Ptr. Armand of Rizal, Ptr. Marvin of Taguig, Ptr. Mac of Zambales and Ptr. Ralph of Quezon City.

Truly God is transforming the PNP!