Vagrant as a boy; model cop as a man

CEBU, Philippines - An arrest for theft when he was 13 years old never stopped him from dreaming of becoming a police officer one day.

Thirty years after, Senior Police Officer 2 Egmedio Felisan, Jr. is proving that even someone who has crossed paths with the law can be an outstanding member of the country’s law enforcement agency.

Last September 9, Felisan was awarded the “Most Outstanding Model PNP Family” in the National Police Commission competition.

Felisan, from Cebu City Police Office’s Police Community Relations (PCR) Branch, bested 48 other candidates nationwide.

The life story of Felisan was also featured in Starweek magazine by Philippine Star Reporter Nathalie Tomada whose entry won in the recent 10th Lasallian Scholarum Awards for Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education.

Felisan has also received a number of recognitions for being a successful law enforcer.

When he was 13 years old, he was caught stealing a piece of viand and was brought to Community Scouts Youth Guidance Center under the care of the supervising police officers.

Through discipline, coupled with love and attention, the then 13-year-old scavenger gained a clear vision of what he wanted in his life. He dreamed to become a police officer.

“Sakit kaayo sauna na tawgon mi sea urchins o mga tuyom so mga tunok. Didto ko na-challenge na ang mga batan-on dili tunok sa katilingban; naa sila’y importansya ug nagkinahanglan lamang og tabang. (It pained me before to labeled a sea urchin or a thorn. That challenged me to prove that the youth are not thorns; they have importance and just needs help),” said the 45-year-old awardee, who has been in the PNP service for 23 years now.

Currently, Felisan is assigned at the Juvenile Police Non-commissioned Officer and Speaker Bureau of CCPO’s PCR Branch which caters to children in conflict with the law (CICL).

Felisan said giving unconditional love for his family and making God as the center of their lives was perhaps the reason what made him won.

“Ang pag-asa sa nasud mao ang tarong na pamilya para naa’y muabag sa ilang mga anak. (the future of the nation are good families so children would be guided),” said Felisan, who is married to Myrna Mahusay Felisan and is blessed with two daughters and a son.

The police officer and his family are also active in church and in fact, the P50,000 cash prize that he received will be donated for the construction of their chapel in Consolacion town. —/ATO (FREEMAN)