LAOAG CITY — In time for the celebration of the 23rd Police Community Relations Month, the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Region 1 is now gearing up for the grand premiere of “Men In Uniform”, a movie that highlights some PNP personnel’s good deeds and heroism.
“The police are often portrayed in Filipino movies in bad light. Such depictions may be hurtful and demoralizing to the honest police force but through this movie, we hope to get more inspiration from the real life stories of our men showcasing their bravery and honesty in service,” said Regional Director Romulo Sapitula of the Police Regional Office-Region 1 (PRO1).
The movie is based on the real-life story of five police officers, namely, Chief Inspector Rolando Ramos, SPO2 Conrad Baldemor, PO2 Jumeil Javier, Senior Superintendent David Aragon and Senior Inspector Melinda Mallari.
They are portrayed in the movie by actors Rayver Cruz, Alfred Vargas, Rommel Padilla, Jeric Raval and Empress Schuck.
Senior Inspector Mallari, who is based in San Fernando, La Union, was hailed as one of the Ten Outstanding Policewomen of the Philippines for bringing to court hundreds of cases involving abuses committed against women and children.
PO2 Javier of the Police Security and Protection Group, was honored for stopping a robbery aboard a moving bus that resulted in the neutralization of three criminals, thereby saving the lives of all the passengers.
SPO2 Baldemor is known for his extraordinary bravery and dedication to duty when he served as negotiator, during a hostage-taking incident inside a public transport bus, and saved the lives of a two-year-old child and two adult female captives.
Chief Inspector Ramos was honored posthumously for his bravery in leading a series of buy-bust operatives in different localities, in line with the PNP’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. He led his team in the successful arrest and neutralization of eight high value targets. He died in an armed encounter with the suspects.
Senior Superintendent David Aragon, who heads the Police District Intelligence and Operations Unit, is behind the neutralization of some of Metro Manila’s most notorious car thieves, bank robbers and riding-in-tandem crooks.
The Active Media Events Production will present “Men in Uniform” at 3 p.m. on July 2 at the Ortega Gym in San Fernando City, La Union, after which it will also be shown in movie theaters nationwide.
After the film showing, the four police officers, as well as the movie’s cast and crew will be awarded with plaques of recognition at the PRO1 Grandstand in San Fernando.
Produced by Jose Olinares, the advocacy movie was made after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Active Media Events Production and the directorate for Police Community Relations Group. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
