“To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” Donald A. Adams
It takes an exceptional amount of courage and determination to become a public servant. Choosing the path of public service is a noble job, a real challenging one. Republic Act 6713, otherwise known as the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,” states that public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the people; and shall discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence, and loyalty; act with patriotism and justice, lead modest lives; and uphold public interest over personal interest.
These qualities are once again shown and proved by two PNP personnel assigned in Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) Police Station 3 Agora, when they found a wallet which contained important documents and a large amount of money.
On October 22, 2022, at around two in the afternoon, Police Staff Sergeant Nathaniel Justiniani and Patrolman Neil Jun Navarro under the supervision of Police Captain Ernesto Miranda Sanchez, Officer-in-Charge, Police Station 3, conducted an area security check at Luxe Hotel in the said city. While they were on their post, the PNP personnel found a wallet, and upon investigation, they found out that it contained valid IDs, ATM cards, cash and dollar bills with an estimated worth of not less than Php1.2 million.
Without hesitation, they immediately tracked down the owner and tried their very best to contact her in order to return the said lost and found items. Successfully doing so, the wallet was returned to its owner, who, at that instant was not able to control her tears. The thought of not having the wallet back was devastating. She was overwhelmed to have it back, more so with the police officers’ honesty.
Police Staff Sergeant Nathaniel Galgal Justiniani has been active in the police service since September 30, 2000. He took up a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and was a recruit of Police Regional Office 10; while Patrolman Neiljun Navarro entered the police service on January 30, 2020. Navarro is also a graduate of a Bachelor of Science in Criminology at Phinma Cagayan de Oro College.
Police Colonel Aaron M. Mandia, City Director, COCPO, commended PSSg Nathaniel Justiniani and Pat Neil Jun Navarro for their invaluable acts of kindness, honesty and sincere services, not only to the owner of the found wallet but also to the entire people of Cagayan de Oro City.
Police Colonel Mandia also emphasizes that this simple act of kindness done by PSSg Justiniani and Pat Navarro would greatly help the entire police organization to gain the trust of the people, and will uplift their morale and inspire them to support the Philippine National Police towards the fulfillment of its mission and vision in having a safer place to live, work and do business.
The noteworthy performance of the said personnel bespeaks of the PNP’s dedication and devotion to duty. Their outstanding good deeds mirrors what the Philippine National Police desires to be, a police force that serves with honesty and integrity which uphold public interest over personal interest.
