“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” –Nelson Mandela
Putting another’s welfare above one’s own is a fundamental definition of what a uniformed personnel is. It goes beyond everyday tasks in whatever situation and circumstance. This attribute has long been immortalized by every uniformed personnel, including the Nation’s Peacekeeper which tirelessly delivers excellent police service to every community all throughout the country with utmost bravery and courage.
On the morning of February 8, 2023, another heroic deed was shown and manifested by a certain PNP member in Police Regional Office 2 who was assigned in Dinapigue Municipal Police Station in Isabela. The timely and immediate response saved passengers inside the bus putting them away from harm’s way.
Police Senior Master Sergeant Roland Gacal, a Senior Police Community Relations PNCO, 38 years of age, hailing from Barangay Ramos West in San Isidro, Isabela was on board a Victory Liner bus together with other passengers from Santiago City bound to Tuguegarao City. His destination was to Police Regional Office 2 in Camp Marcelo A. Adduru for his Pre-Medical Examination.
While the bus was traversing along the national highway in Barangay Libag Sur, Tuguegarao City, the driver, who was later identified as Jefferson Ballad, 45 years old, and a resident from Garit Sur in Echague, Isabela had a stroke. It was just fortunate that PSMS Roland Gacal happened to occupy the seat at the back of the driver and immediately figured out what to do and how to address the situation.
According to PSMS Gacal, Ballad’s hands were already shaking, his entire body stiffening, with eyes closed and mouth foaming. Upon assessing the situation, he was then forced to manage the steering wheels to avoid hitting oncoming vehicles. However, the situation worsen as the driver was still unconsciously hitting the vehicle’s cylinder. With all his might and strength, and the instinct to avoid possible casualties, PSMS Gacal decided to bump the bus into a random residential wall.
The bus stopped after a few moments, and the residents in the said area went to the rescue of the victims inside. The residents managed to break through the bus to rescue the passengers who were at that moment, shocked and nervous, and perplexed as to what really happened.
All of them miraculously survived, including PSMS Gacal and the bus driver who was then immediately sent to the Cagayan Valley Medical Center for further medical attention.
Police Brigadier General Percival A. Rumbaoa, Acting Regional Director, Police Regional Office 2, however, commended PSMS Gacal’s outstanding deed which truly reflected the embodiment of the current PNP peace and security framework Malasakit to the community, and to the people whom they serve and protect.
“The Home of the Valley Cops takes pride on this remarkable deed showcased by PSMS Gacal,” PBGen Rumbaoa added.
