Agusan del Sur police unit cited for helping students finish college


BUTUAN CITY – A police unit in Agusan del Sur has been cited for helping two students finish their criminology course.

Darwin S. Fernandez, 23 and Daryl B. Banwag, 19, finished Bachelor of Science in Criminology at Southway College of Technology in Agusan del Sur last July 1 through the efforts of the 1303rd Company of the 13th Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFBn).

Fernandez and Banwag served as trusted “strikers” doing simple errands such as cooking meals and maintaining the cleanliness of the 1303rd Company patrol base in Barangay Langkilaan, Trento, Agusan del Sur.

Seeing the students’ drive to succeed and in recognition of their services, officers and personnel of the 1303rd Company extended financial support to their studies by providing fare and food and allowances since 2008.

“Whenever troops received their bonus, they also shared their blessings by giving them a sack of rice and canned goods,” an officer of the 1303rd Company said.

“Kahit papaano ay binibigyan namin sila ng baon everytime na pupunta na sila sa paaralan and their other needs in the school (We give them allowance for their school and other school needs),” a personnel of the 1303rd Company said.

This good deed reached the PRO-13 in Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez here which commended the field unit for their efforts.

“The remarkable initiative of our personnel came to fruition – an initiative that embodies the spirit of compassion and unity in pursuit of helping the younger generation,” PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft said.

“Our police officers recognized the financial barriers that these students encounter while striving to earn a degree. In response, they took it upon themselves to make a difference.”

Kraft urged other field units of PRO-13 to replicate the 1303rd Company’s noble deed.