Brave cop from Parañaque gets spot promotion, plaque
AS HE shot it out with robbers trying to steal P500,000 in cash from a messenger in Manila last week, Police Officer 2 Jomel Caronan’s thoughts were focused on surviving the encounter so that he could be with his newborn son, John Carlo.
“There was a chance I might not make it out of the situation alive,” the Parañaque policeman told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
For his unwavering commitment to his profession, Caronan was given a spot promotion Monday by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) at its headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
In a short program after the flag-raising ceremony, the brave lawman also received praise from his colleagues and NCRPO chief Director Roberto Rosales.
“This is the kind of police officer that I admire; someone who shows what a policeman should be despite the dangers present,” was how Rosales described Caronan as he told a group of police recruits to follow the latter’s example.
Aside from a promotion, Caronan also received a plaque of appreciation from the NCRPO.
Later in the day, he was honored by Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr.
Caronan, who is assigned to the Parañaque City Police Community Precinct 7, recounted that he was on his way to work on June 28 when he heard a cry for help.
At the time, the policeman was driving by Plaza Cervantes in Binondo, Manila, his regular route from his house in Tondo.
He then saw a screaming man running toward him who was being chased by three armed men.
When he accosted them, the three men fired upon him. Caronan said he quickly sought cover behind a parked vehicle. He drew his service firearm and traded shots with his attackers, hitting one of them.
Another one was arrested by responding policeman while the third man escaped.
Caronan later found out that he had just thwarted the armed men’s attempt to rob a messenger on his way to the bank of P500,000.
Monday, he smiled broadly as he thanked Rosales for his promotion although he maintained that what he did was all in a day’s work.
“I was not anticipating that [robbery] to happen on my way to work but since it did, I had to respond to the call of duty,” Caronan said. “I’m glad that I saved myself from harm.”
