RD DE JESUS

“Valedictory Address”
August 4, 2021
(Salutations…)

The great Benjamin Franklin once said that there are only two
things that are certain in this world: death and taxes. This is a fact
that we all probably subscribe to, until we frame our own world view
and realize that, there are a lot of realities that we need to face and
accept; one of which is retirement. I would like to think that
retirement comes in various forms. On one hand, there are
retirements that are much desired and awaited, especially for those
who are simply going through the motions at work. On the other
hand, there is a kind of retirement that is laced with sadness, where
one agonizes over his separation from work, especially when he
knows that he still has a lot to give. This is probably more palpable
in the police and military service. Sometimes we ask why are we
prematurely taken out of the service at a time when we feel that we
have JUST truly mastered the art of executing our functions and
duties to perfection at the age of 56? Gusto ko lang pong linawin na
wala po akong intension na umapela at magpa-extend. Sabi nga
nga mga anak ko: Share ko lang.

Mayroon akong madalas ikwento lalo na’t kapag retirement

ang pinag-uusapan. Noong junior officer pa lang ako during the
early 90s, may nagtanong sa akin, kalian ka ba magreretire? Ang
sagot ko: Naku, matagal pa po, sa 2021 pa, baka nga wala na pong
PNP nun.

Naisip ko na totoo nga pala na ang sinabi nila na ang

retirement ay parang toilet paper. Pag bago pa ang karera ay
parang matagal na hinihila pero habang palapit na ang retirement
ay parang pabilis ng pabilis ang hila. Ngayong araw na ito ang
pinaka huling araw ng aking pagseserbisyo bilang pulis. Kagaya
ng tissue paper, ang huling hibla ang pinakapinahahalagahan at
isinusulit ang gamit.

I apologize if some people find the analogy quite offensive or

gross. I just wanted to illustrate how time passes in a blink of an
eye, and the speed doubles in the midst of a joyful occasion, and in
my case -- a fulfilling career and the best assignment.

With my more than three decades in public service, I have had

a few epiphanies which I have generously shared with junior
officers, in the hope that they could avoid the pitfalls I made,
acquire the best skills I developed, and even surpass the
accomplishments I made.

During the Testimonial Honors tendered to me by the

Philippine National Police Academy, I acknowledged the invaluable
contribution of my alma mater in molding me to become an officer
and a gentleman. However, I am sure that no one will disagree with
me if I say that not everything is learned from the academy. We
eventually realize that theoretical knowledge is often sidetracked by
pragmatic considerations; that the peculiarity of every situation tests
our judgment and that no amount of preparation is enough to face
the challenges of our profession.

I have to admit that I was not among those who topped the
order of merit when I graduated from the police academy.
Academically, I was just an average cadet who barely made it for
the officership.

Fortunately, my field assignments led me to the units handled

by the PNP luminaries who became my bosses. I am forever
grateful to the late Gen. Pantaleon Dumlao, the then director of
PRO 3 who took me in as his aide-de-camp. From him, I had my
first glimpse of leading a region, and a foretaste of the life of a
regional director. With Gen. Cacdac, who was a hard taskmaster, I
felt I reverted to being a cadet again after having been subjected to
his no-nonsense attitude and high standards. It was with General
Angelito Pacia and General Rene Ong where I learned the
rudiments of police intelligence and where I developed the passion
for counter-insurgency operations and crafting measures against
organized crime syndicates. I felt that their mentorship prepared me
into the command of Gen. Dindo Espina, and later on, Gen Danny
Constantino who both took notice of my hard work and initiative.

Additionally, I am deeply grateful to Gen. Hicban who

handpicked me to become his Batallion Commander in
MIMAROPA, Gen. Mabilin who appointed me as the Provincial
Director of Oriental Mindoro and his successor Gen. Pena who
entrusted me the RID.

Furthermore, I am indebted to the present Chief of the

Philippine National Police, Police General Guillermo Eleazar who
gave me the break as his Chief of Staff in the Anti-cyber Crime
Group, in spite of the fact that he hardly knew me then. Of course, I
am equally thankful to Gen. Oca Albayalde for designating me as
the EX-O of DIPO Eastern Visayas, a position where I earned my
star rank.

My deepest gratitude also goes to Gen Picoy Cascolan who

generously handed me the much coveted position of Regional
Director, particularly of Eastern Visayas. Likewise, special mention
to Gen. Debold Sinas for retaining me during his tenure as the Chief
PNP kahit ipinamukha nya at sinabi sa akin ng diretsahan na “Hindi
kita kilala”. Siyempre muli ko pa ring pinasasalamatan si Sir Guillor
sa pagbibigay ng pagkakataon na patuloy na maglingkod sa PRO 8
hanggang sa aking pagretiro.

From the long list of leaders and assignments I have just

enumerated, one can say that my career path had been a fulfilling
uphill journey bedecked with professional breakthroughs and
highlights. From an unknown boy born to a policeman and a
housewife from Malolos, Bulacan, I have become what most people
would address as the general. I never had grand dreams and
ambitions as a young child. I only wanted to become a policeman
like my father who rose from the ranks until he retired as a police
lieutenant. I am almost tempted to echo what one general said in
his introduction of me: that I was born at the right place and at the
right time which suggests that everything is written in the stars.

I beg to contend that that statement is too fatalistic and might

push others to despondency. It undermines the sacrifices of an
individual and it is an utter disregard to a person’s determination
and hardwork. On the other hand, I am not insinuating that I am a
self-made man because I cannot take full credit of what I had
achieved, knowing fully well that I am who I am right now because
of the cumulative contributions of my parents, superiors,
classmates, upperclassmen, friends, family including the
experiences- both good and bad.

At this point, I would like to address the men and women of

the Police Regional Office 8. From the first day of my assumption of
office on September 14, I want you to know that my family and I
instantly developed a deep affection for all of you. Eleven months
ago, Gen Balba in his turn-over speech confessed that leaving PRO
8 was the saddest among his many assignments. Today, the same
experience reverberates within me as the immeasurable joy you
brought me and my family will only be relived in our memories.

The men and women of PRO 8 are easy to work with. In fact,
you do not even have to tell them what to do because they are
resourceful, responsible and service-oriented. I introduced the catch
phrase “Go the Extra Mile”, at the onset of my assumption, urging
everyone to elevate their orientation of public service. Little did I
know that going the extra mile is deeply ingrained in their character.
It is second nature to them. Ang pulis ng Rehiyon Otso ay
maaasahan, disiplinado at ginagalang ng mga mamamayan. I have
accomplished whatever I wanted to and have been able to give
PRO8 my best because I was surrounded by the best people.
Thank you for going the extra mile with me! Nagpapasalamat din
ako sa mainit nyong pagtanggap hindi lamang sa akin, kundi pati
na rin sa aking buong pamilya. Ramdam namin ang inyong respeto,
suporta at pagmamahal. Indeed, nothing compares to the
genuineness of the Waray-Waray people. History reveals that
courage and strength have been etched in the moral fibers of every
Waray-Waray, and it is with the same principles that will remind me
of you. After this day, a new leader will take over my command.
With him at the helm, PRO 8 is up to something great. And so, I
urge the precious gems of this police force to continue to rally
behind him and provide all the necessary support to ensure the
peace and progress of the Eastern Visayas region.

I will forever remain thankful to the people of Eastern Visayas

whom I have personally known to be people of courage and
compassion, of heroism and humanity, of bravery and brilliance.
Babalik man ako ng Luzon, ang puso ko ay mananatiling “Tatak
Waray-waray”.

My stay here in this region would not have been fulfilling as it

is without the support of our active stakeholders and partner
agencies. I may fail to mention each one of you, but your
contributions speak for themselves. Hindi sapat ang pasasalamat
para sa lahat ng mga naitulong n’yo sa aking pamumuno.

Nais ko ring pasalamatan ang mga indibidwal na umalalay sa

akin at mga taong pinagkakautangan ko ng loob: Ang Villanueva
Family na kinabibilangan ni Mayor Jonjon, Senator Joel at Bro.
Eddie. Nandyan din si Representative Angel Matba, maging ang
ating butihing Senador na si Bong Go. Maraming salamat po sa
inyong pagtitiwala.
 Ito na rin siguro ang pagkakataon upang parangalan ko ang
aking mga magulang na parehong namayapa na. Alam kong
masaya sila sa kabilang buhay habang nakikita nila ang tagumpay
na nakamit ko. Pero siyempre may mga pagkakataon na naiisip
kong higit na lubos siguro ang aking kasiyahan kung naririto sila.

But more importantly, I have reached the pinnacle of my

career because of the GAOTU, the First Cause and the Unmoved
Mover as described by St. Thomas of Aquinas. I had braved the
storms of life and career because of His continuous guidance and
intervention, along with the intercession of the Virgin Mary. My
assignment as a regional director is a confluence of persistence
and Divine Intervention. It is a witnessing of God’s grace and
mercy; and a reward to someone who toils in a seemingly unjust
world, in spite of his own unworthiness.

Lastly, I would like to thank my wife- Essel and my sons-

Ellard, Kyle, and Laij, my constant source of inspiration and
strength whose incessant prayers have always guided and
protected me. In my entire tenure in the service, I have missed so
many special occasions and up to this day, I am secretly wishing I
didn’t. All those years, I have put service first before anything else,
and above personal interests; now, I promise to be present in every
significant moment of your lives seeing you through well and share
more time together--- because finally, I’ll soon be heading home.

Ha iyo na tanan, ginhatatag ko an akon kinasing-kasing na

pasasalamat. Isang karangalan ang mapagsilbihan ko kayong
lahat. Muli, mabuhay ang PNP at ang PRO8!