‘Work hard even without reward’

As  she rose up   the ranks, SPO4 Elsa Abuera  recalls just working  hard with no expectation of reward other than a job well done.

Abuera, chief of the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Barili police precinct was one of four female police officers commended by the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CCPO) last March 19.

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who attended the ceremony, said she hopes more women in the police force get promoted.

March marks the celebration of International Women’s Month .

The 44-year-old Albuera worked as a police officer for 22 years.

She has three children with husband SPO4 Esteban Albuera, the deputy chief of the Argao police precinct.

They live in barangay Taloot, Argao town, southern Cebu so she takes the bus everyday to work.

The commendation was based on her reports, school visits and seminars in barangays.

“Work without expecting a reward. You should have dedication in your work. When extending help, don’t choose your clients,” Albuera said.

As WCPD chief, Albuera  deals with sensitive cases like rape and abuse and patiently wade through paperwork like medical exam reports, affidavits and filing of cases before deadline on behalf of the victims.

In her eight years as Barili WCPD chief,  one case  made her cry in frustration.

Albuera recounted the case of a 25-year-old woman suffering from mental disability who was raped by a 73-year-old man.  The  victim was eight months pregnant when she went to the police precinct to ask for help.

The  rape victim’s mother also suffered from a mental disability. The  girl’s  grandmother had asked for help from barangay officials instead of going straight to the police.

Barangay officials worked out  an amicable settlement for the victim amounting to P50,000.

Albuera said the rape victim and her grandmother didn’t know that social workers and lawyers in government were available to help them for fee.

“I exerted effort. The rape victim woudn’t speak up. I helped her undergo a medical examination. There was a witness. I invited the witness who executed an affidavit to seek  justice for the rape victim,” Albuera said in Cebuano.

In May last year she receive the resolution of the prosecutor dismissing the case. The rapist had used the amicable settlement to defend himself.

“I was really hurt,” she said.

Albuera said she sought out the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) which  reprimanded the barangay officials who initiated the settlement.

When the rape victim gave birth, personnel of the  Regional Health Unit (RHU)  provided financial assistance.

Albuera also experienced  seeing another person reap the rewards of her hard work.

“There was professional jealousy. I was relieved in the Barili police precinct without a valid reason,” she said.

Albuera said she didn’t consider her relief  a “burden” but a challenge.

“I told my colleagues that I would grow wherever I am assigned,” Albuera said in Cebuano.

She said she doesn’t want to be confined in the office and prefers doing “real police work” like filing cases, talking to people and solving their problems.

“I wanted to work in the field,” Albuera said.

Albuera received the commendation together with PO2 Rowena Santillan of the WCPD Carcar City police precinct, PO2 Junalyn Entrina of the WCPD Alcoy police precinct and SPO1 Sheila Melendres of the CPPO-WCPD.

Melendres received a commendation for ranking second in the recent Criminal Investigation Course (CIC) of the CPPO.

Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Cebu provincial police chief, said the commendation can be used in future rank promotions.