Bless Our Cops 4 Cagayan: Reaching the Province City by City for Christ

    

The Bless Our Cop 4 tour has once again berthed the banks of the Cagayan River in Tuguegarao. And like the first settlers of yore, they are greeted with warm friendship, a peaceful outlook in life and the zealousness for the gospel.

The Bless Our Cops 4 team led by Cagayan Provincial Director PSSUPT Ma.O R. Aplasca once again opened the police stations and precincts of Cagayan to the gospel by inviting pastors from all the different localities of Cagayan through the Cagayan Pastoral Ministries Association headed by Ptr. Philip Pataguan to partner with the police in reaching out to others.

The effort culminated in one day vision casting conference last January 28, 2012 at the Victoria Lodge in Tuguegarao City wherein 50 pastors partnered with the PCR officers of the 32 towns of Cagayan.

The event started with an introduction of the BOC program and the explanation of the values of the CORPS Movement –God Centered, Service Oriented and Family Based- led by PSSUPT Aplasca.

Col. Aplasca explained that the BOC Program started as a small group of struggling police officers who met with each other to seek refuge and accountability from each other. He challenged the pastors to start this small accountability group within the police stations where Police Officers could freely share their personal struggles with each other. Col. Aplasca also shared the Mission of the CORPS movement to the pastors whom he encouraged to share to the police officers in their locale. He furthered explained that the triangle is subliminally encrypted in the Vision and Mission Statements of the Cagayan Provincial Police Office.

In the afternoon, Ptr. Philip Pattaguan of the CPMA addressed the crowd on how to Bless the Cops. He gave advise wherein one could help the police as subscribed in the Bible. He also challenged his fellow Cagayanos to be a lifetime partner in this ministry.

PSSUPT Bernard Banac gave a brief history of the CORPS Movement as well as how the Bless Our Cops Program came about. He also gave a brief pointer on the attitude of each and every one in ministering to the police especially in dealing with the peculiarities of the police ministry.

Bernabe Manuel Jr., the Executive Director of the BOC Movement, challenged the pastors to utilize the network of the police to further their ministry to the community and the country. He also challenged them to have a concern in reaching out the 97 million Filipinos in our country.

The event ended with the testimony of PSUPT Dionisio Borromeo who exemplifies of what a transformed police officer could do for the PNP.

In the end the BOC4 Movement is thankful for the following pastors who came and blessed the province of Cagayan by their presence: Ptr. Romulo Calam, Ptr. Joe Ering, Ptr. Fernando and Emilyn Dulin of Sto. Nino; Ptr. Nilo Estrada of Caggay; Ptr. Joselito Dela Cruz of Alcala; Ptr. Blas Decano of Ballesteros; Ptr. Joel Corpuz and Ptr. Ludivico Rabangal of Sanchez Mira; Ptr. Leonardo Ubaldo and Ptr. Darius Viloria of Claveria; Ptr. Johnson Cabalungan, Ptr. Thomas Cobo and Ptr. Jose Tablit of Lal-lo; Ptr. Philip Pattaguan and Ptr. Enie Lago of Tuguegarao City; Ptr. Florence Tangonan, Ptr. Leila Adano and Ptr. Jelly Correa of Aparri; Ptr. Jose Jalego, Ptr. Rizalde Balanza Sr., and Ptr. Marrisa Dingay of Gattaran; Ptr. Charles Libon, Ptr. Ronnie Navarez, Ptr. Dante Pamittan and Ptr. Ruel Teh of Iguig; Ptr. Lito Binasay and Reynante Sabala of Enrile; Ptr. Marco Lopez and Ptr. Christopher Victorio of Baggao; Ptr. Gervin Urian and Ptr. Daniel Torres of Camalaniugan;  Ptr. Sam Catulog and Ptr. Tito Maggudyao of Solana; Ptr. Arnel and Erlinda Dela Cruz of Buguey;  Ptr. Rodante and Jemar Javier of Sta. Teresita; Ptr. Ernest Baralin, Ptr. Wilson Panganiban and Ptr. Nida Simbanan of Sta. Maria; Ptr. Henry Corpuz, Ptr. Leonardo Gamata and Ptr. Ricardo Quibilan of Lasam; Ptr. Robert Perocho of Amulung; Ptr. William Clemente, Ptr. Albert Banggayan, Ptr. Wilson Mattias, Ptr. Ruben Vaniegas and Ptr. Jorge Soriano of Tuao.

BOC4 Ilagan: A Homecoming for Borro

For PSUPT Dionisio “Jun” Borromeo organizing pastors for a police ministry in his home town and province is one of the best way to give glory back to God for all the goodness he has given him and his family.

Looking for pastors and leaders who share the same passion for the Word and for the lost in the PNP; he gathered committed police ministers in his restaurant, Danielle’s Place, to be organized and to share in the vision of the Bless Our Cops Movement last January 28, 2012 in Ilagan City.

Ptr. Jomer Tayog of San Manuel; Ptr. Samuel De Guzman of Aurora; Ptr. Jovendo Cabalonga of Ilagan; Ptr. Wilrey Renen of Santiago; Ptr. Ramon Labuguen of San Mateo and Ptr. Dexter Fallorina of Cabatuan Isabela responded to the call with gusto and fire to reach out to their town and the other towns of their province.

The organizational meeting started with a brief history of the CORPS Movement and BOC program from PSUPT Bernie Banac who also gave pointers to effectively minister to the police. It was seconded by PSSUPT Ma.O Aplasca who explained the core values of God-Centered, Service-Oriented and Family Based to the volunteers. Finally, Bernabe Manuel -Executive Director of the Movement- challenge the group to move beyond their churches and reach out their community for Christ.

In the end, PSUPT Borromeo planned a second meeting wherein they would organize the police ministers of the four district of Isabela for a provincial event to bless the whole cops of Isabela.

PSSUPT Ma.O Aplasca Heads Philippine Haggai Institute Alumni Association

The one-month Haggai Institute leadership training is surely a one of a kind experience which has brought a lot of beautiful and colorful experience among those who have undergone it. For PSSUPT Ma.O Aplasca such experience was a life changing one.

After the training, he has promised to take on any opportunity for God without reservation. So when Ptr. Philip Pattaguan, Chairman Emeritus of the Group, challenged him to take on the leadership of the Philippine Haggai Institute Alumni Association Tuguegarao Chapter, he took it wholeheartedly.

In a re-organizational meeting and election last January 27, 2012, PSSUPT Aplasca was elected as the chapter president of the association which was also the same organization which supported and lobbied for his training stint in Hawaii a year ago.

“I’m grateful for the support of this group not only for Cagayan PNP but also for me personally and to be elected as its president is a great privilege” Col. Aplasca added.

He also revealed to the group that he first hesitated when first offered the position because a Police Provincial Director has a hectic schedule. But after being reminded of his promise, Col. Aplasca pledged to make time for the group whose work is for the glory of God.


Under the leadership of Col. Aplasca, the association plans to hold a National Assembly in Tuguegarao to further expand the ministry of the group.

MY POLICE STORY by Ruel de Leon (A Bless Our Cops Volunteer)

“Sasama ba ako o hindi?” I asked myself that question when Pastor Vio invited me to join the team that will serve our police on Christmas Eve. Ang pag-iisip ko dati ay pagsinabing police o pulis ay ito ung mga taong nang-aabuso ng power, power hungry, laging galit, ang huling lalapitan dahil nga bakaikaw pa ang mapapagalitan kung nagsumbong ka (di approachable) at kung anu-ano pang negative tungkol sa kanila. Minsan nga po ang tawag namin sa kanila ay P.U.L.I.S. (Pambansang Unyon ng mga Laging Inaantok sa Silya) dahil lagi na lang daw nakikita sa desk nila o sa tagal daw ng pag respond (we even see it sa movies) kaya laging late ang pulis at kung may news man konti lang iyong magagandang nasasabi tungkol sa kanila. 

Pero lahat po ay nagbago noong nakilala ko po sila nang nag-visit kami noong Christmas Eve sa bawat stations dito sa Baguio. I really want to call it an awesome experience po kasi we were able to have the time to talk to them kahit sandali man lang. Nakita ko kung gaano nila kami tinanggap kahit na toxic ang kanilang trabaho sa station. Meron ngang pulis na dahil sa tuwa na na-appreciate namin sila ay tinawag pa kami sa kusina nila, pinaghanda ng kape at gusto pa mag-dinner na kami doon. 

Kahit sa maiksing panahon ng visit naming ay nakita ko ang challenges na hinaharap ng ating kapulisan. Ang isa doon ay ang kakulangan ng PNP personnel sa field, that is the ratio of police presence in proportion to the population in their respective area of assignment.

In all the stations, welcome po kami at sinabi pa nila na sana palaging may ganito na bumibisita at nagpapakita rin sa kanila ng concern pati na sa kanilang pamilya. Kahit na wala nga daw kaming dalang donuts, ang presence naming ay sapat na iyon sa kanila. 

Marami rin ang nagpakita ng interest sa Gospel and were really thankful that we prayed for them including even their respective families. Tapos sabi pa nga ng iba ay sana madagdagan ang seminars, lectures, etc. about sa gospel. Nagulat ako at natuwa nang magsabi ang iba sa kanila naka-attend na pala sila ng Purpose Driven Life Seminars na ginawa ng team nina Pastor Vio. 

Hindi naging mahirap na mapalapit ang loob sa kanila lalo na sa ganoong response na ipinakita nila. We can see that God has been preparing the harvest. Ang kailangan na lang ay more workers, workers for JESUS.

THE BLESS OUR COPS ( A Testimony From Crismar Pataksil, BOC Cordillera Representative) )

By Crismar Patacsil

If I were not a professor, I would have been a soldier!

When I was young, I remember how my late father treated me as if I am in a military training camp: to wake up early, how to eat fast and how to defend myself. His proudest picture still hangs in my parent’s house…a picture of him in full police uniform. He was not a policeman, but he joined a short course military training and became a volunteer during his younger days. If he had his way, he could have insisted I go to PMA.

But I took a different path. I think my father too was disillusioned with the military especially during the martial law days when people got killed in their homes. One was his close friend who got rained with bullets in his home.

Nevertheless, when I was a college student at UP Baguio, though it was required, I enjoyed ROTC. Joining as an officer was out of my mind but whenever there is a special voluntary training, I always volunteered to join. I remember one time, the UP Vanguards (ROTC officers in UP Baguio) announced that we can join their night ops training as a sort of graduation event for finishing two semesters of MS (military science) courses, only three of us (me and my two best friends) showed up and one of the officers asked me why wouldn’t we just join the officer’s rank. We didn’t but most of the Vanguards became our close friends. Last December 9, 2011 while on my way home to Baguio City from The Bless our Cops (BOC) First National Convention held at Camp Crame, Quezon City, I got a chance to meet with one of them who happened to be on his way home also to Baguio from reporting to Camp Crame. We rode together in the same bus and found out he is now the deputy director in the Baguio City Police Office.

Which brings me to my experience during the The Bless our Cops (BOC)First National Convention held at Camp Crame, Quezon Citylast December 8 and 9, 2011. But before that…

UP is known for activism and the rallies in the streets always finds us antagonizing with policemen. As a UP student then, I remembered joining a rally where the military was suspected of abducting fellow students. As a UP professor, I was again saddened when a UP professor was killed while doing research and the suspect was the military.



I have joined and lectured in line with the Transform the PNP movement through the Purpose Driven Life here in Baguio City during the time the military is riddled with corruption issues… from the generals for enriching themselves and the low ranked policemen branded as “kutong” cops. The media continued to report police abuses (hazing and rape in the police stations), heads of police protecting drug lords and jueteng lords. I don’t see the Transform the PNP movement making any impact. Nevertheless, I continued to join the campaign. Last December, when my pastor invited me to join the BOC First National Convention at Camp Crame, I said okay I will attend. But at the back of my mind, I thought, “Would something good come out of this for the military?”

On the first day, I got to be introduced to the The CORPS Movement (Christian Officers Reform the Police Service) and my eyes are opened that there are indeed a “few” good men in the PNP. Though a few (now in the ranks of Police Superintendents), they gave me a glimmer of hope for change as I saw their dedication not only to the PNP but to God first. For the first time, I saw for myself a generation of officers who will make an impact, a genuine transformation in the PNP. Their stories of how God is working in their lives are worthy of front page in daily newspapers.

The more I was encouraged when I saw Christian PNP cadet and cadettes in the conference vowing to join the ranks who will make this change happen in their lives through God.

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain. Unless the Lord (re)builds the PNP, their labor is in vain. I am praying with earnest that these officers rise up to the ranks and more like them will saturate the PNP. I believe God is at work in the PNP. The CORPS Movement is indeed moving through God. I have decided to move with God in what He will do in the PNP and military in any way I can help.I am excited to see what God will do with the Bless our Cops and Soldiers (BOCS) in Baguio, Benguet and Cordillera Region. I am excited with the prospect of helping disciple PMA cadets/cadettes (in God’s ways as foster parents) who will one day become leaders of the military and even in our country as most military are occupying political posts in our nation. FVR for one has become one of our presidents. In all times of our history, the military are the closest persons in contact with the president as his security aides and I think some as confidants and advisers. Imagine if all of them surrounding the president are Godly people, the president will always encounter God.

My vision for the military is to go back to the pre-martial law days where they are seen as heroes in the community. They SERVE and PROTECT the people. They enforce laws and people are not afraid of them. They run to them for help because you know they will serve and protect you. (Today, we run away from them because they will take advantage of you.) People do not fear them like monsters in uniform, but fear them like a person, who is tempted to sin, fears God. People will fear them if they think of doing something unlawful or evil with their fellow men. I want to see the military and the community working hand in hand together, interacting with each other. In the first place, lest we forget, they are people too.

This is a far cry from what they are seen today. BUT WITH GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

My Brother’s Keeper Crosses Over to the AFP

The discipleship program which has absorbed and led a decade of cadets and young officers in the PNPA to the Lord is now being adopted by the PMA.

Col. Erwin Luga (Ret.), Head Pastor of the Philippine Military Academy Cadet Christian Fellowship, saw the need of young Lieutenants in the service to have Christian brothers that would guide their younger years in service where they are bombarded with temptations and problems. Even the strongest of believers would not stand these first years without assistance and accountability of mature older brothers in the service who would help them.

The CORPS Movement’s version of the an accountability and assistance program dubbed as My Brother’s Keeper for young Christian Officers caught the eye of Col. Luga who knew that adopting the program would only give the newly-grads an accountability partner but would also bridge PMA graduates from the AFP to their counterparts in the PNP.

A preliminary was set last January 12, 2012 held at the National Defense College, with Col. Mike Viaje hosting the team of Col. Luga, Col. Francis Ramirez, Col. Mike Agtoto with their PNP counterparts PSSUPT. Binag and PSUPT Borromeo. The meeting established the framework of the program as well as future engagements with PMACCF.

A follow-up meeting was set last January 19, 2012 at Camp Crame which identified potential brothers that would journey with the batch of 2012. A next meeting this coming February 1, 2012 is scheduled to challenge the potential brothers to take on the challenge.

All activities will culminate on the PMA Homecoming where the brothers will adopt the graduating class of 2012.

 

PNP-HS Breakfast Club Celebrates First Year Anniversary: Serving God’s Word with Coffee

It started with a need for a handful of Christian police to seek guidance and articulate concerns through prayer as they start their daily work. They in turn organized themselves to start a prayer group wherein they could: discuss pressing concerns in their family, office and even personal matters with each other; pray for those concerns; and, give thanks to God for his love and care. For PSSUPT Renee Balagot, PSSUPT Loida Bustamante, PSUPT Bernie Banac and PSINSP Gus Ferrer, the prayer group which was dubbed as the Thursday  Breakfast Club was a Christian refuge that sheltered them and inspired them to further pursue their faith in their profession.

One day, PSSUPT Angela Vidal (head of the PNP-HS) chanced upon the group who were singing hymns. Dr. Vidal who grew up in a Christian circle knew the need of having daily prayers so she decided to attend and became an essential part of the group.

A year later, the group of five is now a regular group of twenty police personnel from all over the different service of the PNP-HS. And though they got bigger they still pray and encourage each other and last January 19, 2012, they invited their fellow police officer in the PNP-HS to join them in thanksgiving and prayer for a fruitful year.

The small thanksgiving started with songs of praises and hymns led by PSUPT Rebecca Rebellion. Testimonies of God’s faithfulness from PSSupt Vidal, PSSupt Bustamante and PCInsp Tonet Campo were also shared of how the small group changed and guided their lives.

PSSupt Cesar Binag, who came in behalf of PDGen Nicanor Bartolome C, PNP, gave a short inspirational message of how God is transforming the PNP and how the small breakfast club is a part of a bigger movement of reform. PSupt Jun Borromeo highlighted the power of reform by sharing his testimony of how God’s love saved a once hardened policemen like him.

The celebration ended in songs and prayer for each and everyone as like every Thursday.

BOC4 Starts 2012 Tour with a Bang: It's More Fun in... Tacloban

2012 will be a busy year for the BOC 4 Movement as the organization has vowed to reach more for churches and communities to Bless the Cops of the land as well as the whole Philippines.

The first town to be visited by the movement is Tacloban City which is also the first city in the Visayas to be reached by the movement.  Ptr. Eugene Ramerez of Victory-Tacloban and PSSUPT Wilson Caubat the Tacloban City Police Director wholeheatedly welcomed the BOC4 team as they landed into the capitol for a two day visit.

They first proceeded to cast the vision towards the pastors and the youth of Victory church and gave them a taste of what does it mean to bless the cops, equip the church, empower the community and be a blessing to the country. They also prayed for PSSUPT Caubat as he leads the city towards Christ.

The following day, they were warmly welcomed by Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and his wife Christina Gonzales who welcomed the group and blessed their stay.


The group plans to go North the following weeks...