EPD aiming for an image makeover through bulilit summer camp

Participants in the Eastern Police District Bulilit Summer Camp pause in front of a rogues’ gallery of sorts (left) inside the Pasig City police station. A big part of one of the corridors inside the building showcases the photographs of leading theft suspects in the eastern Metro city. Above, all eyes are on bomb technician SPO2 Andrew Mendez as he demonstrates how a mounted mirror can be used to detect bombs. The children between the ages of 8 and 12 are given a tour to help them understand the daily work and mission of the police. —LYN RILLON

Through a three-day summer camp, policemen in the eastern part of Metro Manila are hoping to convince children that they are not the bad guys.

During the Eastern Police District (EPD) Bulilit Summer Camp conducted last month, 25 kids between 8 and 12 years old—most of them children of drug surrenderers or beneficiaries of the police district’s Adopt A Pupil program—learned more about what lawmen do. From executing a salute to conducting searches to responding to bomb threats, they also got a lecture on the effects of illegal drugs as well as the vision and mission of the Philippine National Police.

EPD director Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula, who came up with the idea of holding a summer camp for kids, said he hoped it would reconnect children and the community with the police.

“Fear of policemen starts at a young age. Most of the time, policemen are being used to scare children. They are seen as the bad guys. ‘The police are going to get you,’ mothers would always tell them,” he added.

Ten-year-old Rick (not his real name) from Pasig City said he used to fear policemen especially since his father had a history of using illegal drugs. His sister, Rissa, a criminology student, convinced him to join the workshop.

Rick was with his parents when he went to the summer camp.

Turning over a new leaf

His father, who turned to drugs to cope with the death of his eldest child, has already kicked the habit and is participating in the Pasig City’s program for drug surrenderers. “Now I realize the policemen are good because they help other people,” Rick said.

According to Sapitula, the program also helps the children become more safety conscious while boosting their confidence through interaction with police officers. At the same time, it aims to lead them toward developing a deeper appreciation for discipline and police work.

Ysabella, 11, whose parents are both in the police service, said that the summer camp gave her a better understanding of the work they do. “I thought that what my mom was doing was simple. I now realize it is hard. They have lots of responsibilities. Through the summer camp, I [also] learned to be more smart and confident,” she added.

Sapitula said he also wanted the program to promote a better image of policemen. “Sure, there are bad eggs or scalawags but there are still many who do good things and help people,” he told the Inquirer.

Change of heart

“Before, I thought that policemen kill people and drug addicts,” said Frank, 12, of San Juan, adding: “Now, I think they are good men.”

He was accompanied by his sister, Shania, another participant, and their mother, Julia, a drug surrenderer.

“We used to be really afraid of the police. Three of my friends who were drug users died. If you are involved in anything illegal, you live in fear. Then I saw how the government and police intervened on our behalf,” Julia said.

Among the activities of participants in the summer camp, held from May 26 to 28, was an orientation on police work, visits to the Pasig police station and PNP Museum at Camp Crame, including a puppet show.

They also learned about various PNP drills like basic marching, salutes and troop formations. At the end of the program, most of them came away with school supplies donated by the policemen on top of a desire to enter the police service some day.

“I want to be a policemen just like my two grandfathers when I grow up. They help so many people,” said 10-year-old Chiara.