BY: PCOL Jonathan P Pablito
The three police officers among the Metrobank Ten Outstanding Filipinos 2021 are beacons of light during one of the darkest moments in recent history – the COVID-19 pandemic. All three were also serving in Visayas, the heart of the Philippines, at the time of their awarding.
At such a time, they were models of excellence in the police profession, thriving amidst challenges with grit and resilience. They have made a long-lasting positive impact in the PNP and the communities they serve – displaying love for God, country, and people – the values Filipinos define.
The Transformational Strategist
Recently promoted in January 2024, Police Colonel Jonathan Pa-ac Pablito is a proud son of Cordillera, who also considers himself an adopted son of Western Visayas, which he served for almost six years.
Before his assignment to Visayas, he dedicated 10 years of his service to implementing the PATROL Plan 2030, the PNP’s roadmap to real and lasting transformation. Having acquired a master’s degree in development management from the Asian Institute of Management and another m a s t e r ’s degree in International Relations from Nanyang University Singapore as a PNP scholar, he served as Chief for Strategic Communication of the Center for Police Strategy Management, instilling in- depth understanding and ownership of the transformation program among PNP personnel and the community.
In Police Regional Office 6, PCol Pablito served as project manager of the Medical and Legal Assistance Program, wherein PRO6 engaged the multisectoral advisory councils to raise more than Php 4 Million wherein to date, Php 1,050,000.00 has been given as assistance to 70 police officers, including himself when he was suspended (and later exonerated) due to a high profile police operation.
He served as Station Commander of Iloilo City Proper for two years, wherein the station was able to reduce the crimes against persons by 40% in 2018 and a further 30% in 2019 while ensuring peaceful conduct of the world- renowned Dinagyang Festival in 2019 with no major incident. After which, he served as Chief of Police of Malay,
the municipality that has jurisdiction over Boracay Island, wherein he ensured the safe evacuation of 11,000 stranded tourists and workers when COVID-19 hit. Also, no local transmission in Boracay happened in 2020 due to his One- stop Shop in Four locations innovation for safe and efficient medical exam and issuance of travel authority. All 360 PNP Malay personnel were also trained as lifesavers in case of emergencies.
Finally, Jonathan serves as an officer of My Brother and Sister’s Keeper Movement (MBSK), which espouses a God-centered, family-based, and service-oriented PNP and PROTECT – the organization of Metrobank police awardees. He is a faithful husband to Sharonda Abriam and a doting father to Aurora Celeste.
The Police Chief and Counsel
Although already a bemedalled police commander and lawyer, Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare declares he will forever be humbled and proud to be recognized as one of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos in 2021. This recognition, still met with disbelief, has fueled his commitment to public service even more and inspired him to support others without seeking anything in return.
As a police lawyer, Ace has elevated his advocacy, “ Itanong Mo Kay Atty Tsip,” to assist those in need, particularly police officers facing legal issues and victims of injustice. Police officers facing legal challenges, the underprivileged, and the oppressed will always have an Ace who will be ready to help in achieving justice.
In law enforcement, Ace’s initiatives as Chief of Police of Talisay City include Oplan Limpyo and the Service Golden Rules, both gaining traction beyond Central Visayas. Oplan Limpyo, an anti-drug model, has been adopted in multiple locations, achieving significant results. Similarly, the Service Golden Rules have been embraced by police stations across the Philippines, emphasizing competence and integrity in policing.
The Police Community Relations Exemplar
Police Executive Master Sergeant Mary Joy Balug Ylanan is a resident of Baganga, Davao Oriental. She is the third among thirteen siblings. Overcoming adversities, she studied hard to help her other siblings finish school. Joy originally wanted to be a police officer when she graduated high school, but for some reason, she took up a Bachelor of Secondary Education at the University of the Visayas in Cebu City. She graduated in 2002, and with God’s divine providence, she fulfilled her dream of joining the police service in 2004.
She never forgot where she came from by helping her family rise from hardship. She provided financial and moral support to her siblings, who successfully graduated from college one by one. Inspired by her, her siblings also became police officers and public teachers. This is what Joy considers her greatest accomplishment.
In 2007, she was assigned to Bogo City Police Station and designated as Women & Children Protection Desk (WCPD) PNCO. In December 2016, she was designated as the Police Community Relations (PCR) PNCO.
Her innovative accomplishment in line with Community and Service-Oriented Policing (CSOP) is making Bogo the First Drug-Cleared City in the Philippines under Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulations No. 3 series of 2017. As the Chief PCR in the City Police, she led the police station’s Oplan Tokhang to support Barangay Drug Clearing Operations (BDCO) by monitoring all BDCO activities. She also serves as a speaker and facilitator to Invigorating Parents the Ability to Response in Becoming Responsible Couples. She goes the extra mile by giving the couples her number to accommodate questions they may have in the coming days of their marriage lives. In empowering the youth, she is at the forefront of the Information and Education Effort of Bogo City Police Station. Joy is married to a fellow police officer, Police Chief Master Sergeant Jose V Ylanan, and they are blessed with two children, Charice, aged 15, and Jose Zander, aged 12.