Top Lucena criminologist wants to become a good policeman

LUCENA CITY—Top criminologist John Bonrev Roi Rodas has set his sights on joining the Philippine National Police as he grew up idolizing his grandfather, Donato, a policeman.

Rodas, a graduate of Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation here, topped the criminologist licensure examination last week, leading 7,998 passers with a rating of 90.5 percent. A total of 20,797 criminology graduates took the test.

“[My grandfather] regaled me with thrilling police tales—[how they conducted] their investigation, how they solved crimes. Those stories really fascinated me,” he told the Inquirer.

But more than wearing a police uniform and carrying a badge and a gun, the 23-year-old Rodas wanted to become a good policeman so he could contribute to changing the negative image of the police.

“Law enforcers should be the first to obey the law to serve as examples to people,” he said. “I will start with myself. I will be a good policeman.”

Rodas said his classmates had the same goal in joining the police force.

“We all want to do our part in changing the [police’s] image. With the guidance of the PNP leadership, we can all do it,” he said.

Human rights groups claimed that most of the more than 25,000 victims of the government war on illegal drugs were executed by policemen.

The PNP, however, denied the accusation and insisted that the drug war only recorded 6,600 people killed in antidrug operations from July 2016 to May 2019.

Training

Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde, the PNP chief, had said that more than 14,000 policemen had been charged with various offenses since 2016 when President Duterte assumed office. At least 2,300 policemen had been dismissed and 4,100 others had been suspended following the PNP’s internal cleansing program.

While waiting to apply for inclusion in the next batch of police trainees at Camp Nakar here, Rodas said he would accept the offer of a local review center to be part of its teaching staff.

“Once I successfully enter the force, I will continue my studies, take special training and tests necessary for promotion,” he said.

“But of course, my primary focus is to become a good and effective policeman. I want to excel in the field of investigation. My late Lolo was a good one; I want to duplicate his achievement,” Rodas added.

His paternal grandfather, Donato, retired as executive master sergeant (senior police officer 4) from the Lucena City police in 1991.

“He is my idol. I admire his guns, merit certificates, commendations and recognition from his years in the service,” Rodas said.

“My dream for my son had been fulfilled. In turn, he would also fulfill my dream,” his father, Danny, said, adding that he also wanted to become a policeman.

Danny worked as a guard at the Quezon provincial jail here for 16 years before he retired.