Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas (center) leads the releasing of 121 doves during a short Independence Day program at Camp Sergio Osmeña in Cebu City on Wednesday morning, June 12, 2019. CDN Digital photo | Benjie Talisic
Cebu City, Philippines—Members of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) joined the whole nation in celebrating the country’s 121st Independence Day on Wednesday morning, June 12, 2019, at the Camp Sergio Osmeña along Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City.
Spearheading the commemoration were PRO-7 director Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas, director of the Regional Internal Affairs Services (RIAS) Police Brigadier General Noel Gillamac, and other police officials.
During the short program, Sinas read to members of the police force a message from Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde.
A dove lands on the giant-sized police cap at the Camp Sergio Osmeña in Cebu City. The dove was part of the 121 doves released by members of PRO-7 on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, in commemoration of the country’s 121st Independence Day. CDN Digital photo | Benjie Talisic
“Sa araw na ito, ipinagbubunyi natin hindi lamang ang kagitingan at katapangan ng ating mga bayaning lumaban para makamit ang kalayaan, kundi ng ating mga makabagong bayani na patuloy ring naglilingkod at nagaalay ng dugo’t pawis para sa kaligtasan, kaayusan at kaunlaran ng ating bayan,” part of Albayalde’s message read.
The theme for this year’s celebration of Independence Day is “Kalayaan 2019: Tapang ng Bayan, Malasakit sa Mamamayan.”
Albayalde, in his message, reminded the police force in the region to continue with their mission to ensure public safety.
“Bilang hepe at ama ng Pambansang Pulisya, hinihikayat ko ang bawat miyembro ng kapulisan na maghandog ng higit pang makabuluhan, matapat, at masigasig na paglilingkod sa mamamayan,” Albayalde said in his message.
“Panahon muli upang paigtingin ang ating pagkakaisa at sama-samang isulong ang ating misyon tungo sa tunay na kaayusan, kapayapaan at kaligtasan ng bawat lansangan at komunidad sa buong bansa.”
Aside from the flag-raising ceremony, the program also included a ceremonial releasing of 121 doves headed by Sinas and other police officials to mark the 121 years of the country’s independence. /bmjo