“There are a lot more statues for soldiers than there are of civilians,” George Armstrong Custer, famous American Civil War Union cavalry commander, spoke prophetically when boasting of his aspirations to become a cavalryman. Today, a magnificent, heroic-sized bronze statue of Custer stands in a small park in Elm and Monroe streets in Monroe, Michigan, USA.
As another powerful symbol in the colorful history of the Philippine National Police, an iconic PNP Officer Statue was unveiled during the inaugural ceremony held at the PNP Camp Crame Headquarters on April 25, 2022.
The life-sized metal sculpture portrays a modern Filipino police officer on daily patrol wearing the General Office Attire (GOA) uniform along with the equipment belt. Made of 250 kilograms of demilitarized and beyond economical repair firearms metal parts, it was designed by Mario “Ram” Mallari, Jr., a well-respected contemporary Filipino artist who also made the statue of Lapu-Lapu statue that stands at the opposite wing of the NHQ façade.
“This is a beautiful testament, not only of the fine traditions of law enforcement, but also serves as a remarkable tribute to all modern-day police heroes – our frontliners, who selflessly serve the community during these trying times, our police officers who lost their lives in the fight against criminality, illegal drugs, violent extremism and terrorism, and to all of us who have experienced various difficulties and surmounted challenges brought about by COVID-19,” PGen Dionardo Bernardo Carlos proudly said.
“And the finest traditions of valor, service, gallantry and sacrifice live on in the Philippine National Police as we continue to win the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, illegal drugs, crime, corruption, poverty and terrorism. Thus, we thank Mr. Mallari for being an instrument so that our legendary story of unconditional police service is told now more than ever,” PGen Carlos added.
PGen Carlos further explained that the POLICE OFFICER Statue pays homage to the ideals that the PNP sincerely holds: SERVICE, HONOR, and JUSTICE, and will be an enduring sacred pledge that these ideals will guide all police officers in the tireless pursuit as law enforcers to continuously serve as beacons of hope and vanguards of humanitarian action in the interest of national security, public safety, and public health.
“Let it stand as a symbol of hope and as an unyielding instrument of unity that binds the more than 225,000 gallant men and women of the Philippine National Police as we remain unfaltering in upholding the sovereignty of our beloved country as well as in serving and protecting the Filipino people with utmost respect and highest regard to the rule of law,” PGen Carlos stated.
