Cops show off musical prowess at PNP public service anniversary

It's not an everyday sight for members of the Philippine National Police to loosen the firearms on their holsters and the handcuffs on their belts, but its 115th anniversary in public service can be an exemption.

Several police officers showed their musical prowess on Thursday and held the microphone and the guitar even for one day while wearing the PNP uniform.

From busting criminals to busting stress: Cops belt it out during the opening of the week-long 115th Public Service Anniversary of the PNP. Joseph Tristan Roxas

One of them is Police Officer 1 Norman Wileman III who came all the way from Camp Bagong Diwa to attend the Entertainment and Musical Show of the PNP.

Wileman welcomed the opportunity to lighten up for one day amid all the stress the job of being a police officer entails.

"Masaya po kasi katulad po naming mga pulis, busy po kami kaya itong mga extra-curricular activity na 'to tulad ng pagtugtog at pagkanta, nagagawa rin po namin 'yung passion namin," Wileman said.

"At the same time, natatanggal po 'yung stress namin sa trabaho. Nasa puso't diwa na rin namin 'yung pag-awit para sa mga tao," he added.

Juvie Raca, a non-uniformed personnel from the Police Community Relations Group (PCRG), echoed the sentiment of showing the lighter side of PNP personnel.

"Ito naman 'yung ginagawa namin. May mga talent din naman ang pulis. Kumbaga all-around," Raca said.

Meanwhile, PCRG chief Senior Supt. Gilbert Cruz said the PNP needed the entertainment amid all the operations against crime and illegal drugs under the Duterte administration.

"Medyo intense 'yung galaw ng mga pulis ngayon, especially 'yung mga assigned sa field ngayon. Kailangan ng kaunting entertainment para maging light naman 'yung routine ng mga pulis natin. Magkaroon ng break," Cruz said.

Cruz commended all the PNP personnel who showed up and performed in the show, a sign that police officers also have talents to boot.

"At least napapakita natin diyan na talented ang mga pulis natin," he said.

"Masaya po siyempre. Sabi nga tangkilikin ang sariling atin. Natutuwa ako na pati kapwa pulis na kumakanta rin, tumutugtog. Para nalalabas nila 'yung angkin nilang talento. Nagpapatunay na hindi lang kami pulis, puwede rin kaming pang-entertainment," agreed Wileman.

Raca added the PCRG is looking into having its own live band always ready to entertain the PNP or the public when called upon.

Asked what their favorite song is, Cruz only replied, "'yun ang 'di ko natutunan."

Wileman said one of his favorites is "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" while Raca, who sang "Tadhana" during the program, was more into performing rock and roll songs.

"'Yung mga kasamahan ko sinasabi nila magaling daw ako sa rock, mga rock and roll tulad ng "Bad Name"," Raca said.

Bato absent

Meanwhile, PNP chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa was not able to attend the show due to his busy schedule.

But Cruz said Dela Rosa still has the chance to show his musical prowess since the 115th Public Service Anniversary of the PNP is a week-long celebration.

"Marami siyang schedule. Ang celebration naman na 'to, sa anniversary ng police service, para sa lahat naman 'to although si Chief PNP 'yung special guest namin... Definitely maasahan na siya doon (next week). Very busy lang chief namin," he said. —KG, GMA News