A cop for a day: Sick 8-year-old boy gets his wish

Christianelle Dolosa woke up early Thursday and left the family home in Hagonoy, Bulacan, to take a two-hour ride to Camp Crame in Quezon City.

The 8-year-old boy had been looking forward to this visit to the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters to become a policeman even for just a day.

Dolosa, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia two years ago, said he has been dreaming of becoming a police officer since he was 4.

With the help of Make A Wish Foundation, the new PNP chief, Deputy Director General Alan Purisima, granted the boy’s wish and made him an honorary police inspector of the elite Special Action Force.

“It’s really heartwarming to know that many of our youth like Christianelle dream of becoming part of the police organization,” Purisima told reporters.

“We should have more policemen who will serve as idols for the youth. We should work harder and live up to their expectations,” he added.

“I also hope that our simple gesture would help the boy recover and fight his condition,” Purisima said.

The boy was shy at first when his mother, Teodora, and foundation members presented him to Purisima and the media.

But his face lit up when Purisima handed him a police uniform with his name plate. The PNP chief also gave him a police cap and an honorary badge.

“You’re now a policemam,” Purisima told the smiling Dolosa, who also received two police toy cars.

To complete his experience, Dolosa was put on a police car and joined real policemen in patrolling around Camp Crame.

He was also given a tour of the PNP’s main headquarters, visiting the PNP Museum and other offices in the police camp.

“Our foundation has been helping kids who are battling life-threatening illnesses by helping them realize their dreams. We interview the kids and their doctors about what the children really want,” said Tess Fajardo of Make a Wish Foundation.