Benguet ‘son’ needs more awards

 LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

March L. Fianza

When Col. Robert S. Daculan of Benguet was assigned as provincial director of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office, he had no choice but do what was expected of him, including but not limited to being face to face with criminals.
    These suspects are not the common ones.
    Most are hardened and seasoned criminals belonging to ethno-linguistic groups of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR). To personally serve search warrants and warrants of arrest on suspects in an unfamiliar terrain is definitely not a "walk in the park".
    That could be the reason why he keeps on receiving citations and awards, the latest of which was the “Medalya ng Kadakilaan” award that was pinned on him by PNP Chief Rodolfo S. Azurin on April 10, 2023 during the flag-raising ceremony at the LDSPPO grounds.
     The award was given for the PD’s noteworthy and invaluable acts rendered in the successful service of search warrants on April 2, 2023 that resulted in the neutralization of three persons and arrest of seven suspects for violations of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
     PNP Chief PGen. Azurin graced the awarding rites at the LDSPPO, at the same time to officiate in the deactivation of the Maguindanao PPO and activation of the Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur PPOs.
    On March 20, 2023; PCol. Daculan previously received in Camp Crame a “Medalya ng Kadakilaan” award for the arrest of suspects in the ambush of Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal A. Adiong, Jr.  
    Unidentified gunmen took by surprise the convoy of Gov. Adiong at barangay Delimbayan, Maguing town while he was on his way to Wao town on February 17, 2023. The governor, along with two others, was wounded but four of his security escorts died in the ambush.
    Arrest warrants that were successfully served by Col. Daculan and his team on March 10, 2023 led to the arrest of the three suspects who were charged of four counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder, and multiple attempted murder.
    This is a frustrated policeman’s story.
   ***
Congratulations to pare Romeo Gonzales of DzRH and to the mother of his son Rodney. Certainly, their 26-year old son who recently added a new title to his name deserves bigger greetings after passing the Bar exams last year. He is now known as Atty. Rodney Pascua Gonzales.
     Atty. Gonzales is an addition to the list of children of media practitioners, two of whom are now practicing lawyers Robin and Alfred Dizon Jr., sons of Northern Philippine Times publisher and Editor Alfred P. Dizon.
    My hats off to all of them. Congratulations also to new lawyer Ms. Faisa Mariano of Bombo Radyo who finally passed the Bar exams. I say this lady has big patience and guts to finish her studies, even while she worked as a radio reporter. Atty. Faisa Mariano’s parents deserve our best wishes too.
    Our hats off to all them for they deserve everybody’s salutations, not only because they are men of laws and useful citizens of this country, but because they are “improvements” of the race of their parents. They are the fulfillment of the dreams of their parents.  
    Media colleague Romy said Rodney graduated BS Criminology at the University of the Cordillera, passed the board exams and got into Law school right away after graduation. He finished Bachelor of Laws at the same school in 2022 and took the Bar that year.
    I told Romy, his son’s case is unusual since most BS Criminology graduates rarely enter Law school after graduation. Most, if not all, enroll at the police academy, follow a career in the uniform service and dream of becoming police generals someday.
    Wasn’t it only yesterday when we had those dreams? How time flies.