Verzosa: Police stint turbulent yet fulfilling

Turbulent yet certainly fulfilling. This was how outgoing Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa summarized his 38 years in public service, days before taking an early retirement. “From the first time I (served as) a lieutenant in Maguindanao in 1976 to my present post at top of the police force, my years of service have been turbulent yet certainly fulfilling," Verzosa said at a testimonial parade for him at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City Saturday. “It has been a journey of courage and hardship, of rough and smooth roads, of hope and faith. And it was a journey that I am fortunate and proud to have taken in my lifetime," he added. He exhorted the cadets present at the event to always uphold the PMA motto of “Courage, Integrity and Loyalty" in serving and protecting the nation. “I now turn a new page in my life perhaps older but certainly wiser with the wisdom of the years to carry me on. And if I may one day be asked what the proudest moment in my life has been, I can only say I will forever be proud that I have been a police officer molded by my alma mater in this very place where we are now," he said. Verzosa, a member of PMA Magilas Class 1976, will retire from the police force on September 15, with President Benigno Aquino III expected to name his successor on September 14. His early retirement came amid controversies involving lapses by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in handling the Aug. 23 Manila hostage crisis. Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed along with their hostage-taker, dismissed Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza. Verzosa said that during his stint in the PNP, he had been put in the so-called freezer four times, but was also meritoriously promoted four times for his outstanding achievement. During his “turbulent" 38 years of service, he said his determination to put the institution above all else, especially in making crucial decisions, and to abide by the Constitution, “(sustained) me through the worst of times and humbled me through the best of times in my career as a uniformed officer." “Looking back I can now say I reached the top through sheer hard work and dedication to the ideals we PMAers stand for, the ideals of courage integrity and loyalty," he said. “And this is a lesson I now want to leave you. When faced with the greatest of challenges in the performance of your duty, when torn between which paths to take, and when agonizing over which decisions to make, look to the institution first and make sure not to compromise it," he added. Verzosa said he was inspired by the sight of young PMA cadets at Saturday’s event, saying they will “carry on from where we left off, ready to serve and protect our nation as we have done." Keep honor code He exhorted the cadets to keep and live by the PMA’s honor code, which he said distinguishes them from others. “My dear cadets, as I leave these grounds and march back to civilian life, I ask that you keep one thing in your hearts, and that is the honor code that every PMAer is expected to live by. This is what distinguishes you the true cavalier from others, and this is what will save the day for you in times of trials (that will) come with the performance of your duty," he said. — LBG, GMANews.TV