POLICING THE POLICE

“When you want something done, give it to a busy man.” This is a dictum that has withstood centuries of changes and upheavals. Even in this age of IT, busy-ness is still the predominant criterion that measures man's success or failure. He who occupies his time with productive pursuits comes out ahead of the lazy bone. The man who dreams and labor hard to make his dreams come true, eventually ends up the victor.

Even in organizations, the leader who has several concerns ends up fulfilling the demands of the association. This is very true to BAMMI (Bohol Association of Metro Manila, Inc.), an aggrupation of Boholanos coming from Tagbilaran City and the 47 towns of Bohol , who ventured in the urban jungle for better prospects in life. The organization has changed names since it was founded many years ago, but it has flourished despite setbacks that could have scared less tenacious individuals. Notable is the consistency of leaders, holding positions of responsibility, becoming its Presidents. Maybe there's the clout that is attached to the leader, but most important is the assurance that he gets things done. Atty. Bernardo Rocha Calibo, Director of NAPOLCOM (National Police Commission) has been President of BAMMI for the past five years. And if the other members of the group have their say, for the next many years to come.

It was an eye opener to attend the last BAMMI Annual gathering. It was held in Campshell 2, Intramuros, Manila . The unique clam-shaped tents were put up during the time of Richard Gordon as Secretary of the Department of Tourism. Fully air-conditioned, Campshell 2 can seat comfortably 600 people, but in the BAMMI affair it was SRO, as Boholanos in formal attire (coat-and-tie, Barong, cocktail dresses and gowns) in impressive sartorial elegance dined, wined and exchanged pleasantries from 6:30 PM to 2:00 AM. The who's-who of Boholanos in Metro Manila were all there. In full control of the proceedings were the officers of BAMMI, led by Bernie Calibo and Joseph Rañola, the Executive Director. It was an extraordinary affair of extraordinary people.

Who is Bernie? Even his birth date is not run-of-the-mill. He was born on December 8, the day of the Immaculate Concepcion, a day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor . His father is Judge Dionisio Calibo, Sr., who used to be a Municipal and City Judge before retirement. His mother was Encarnacion Caseñas Rocha, an English teacher. Atty. Calibo has a brother and two sisters. The eldest in the family is Ma. Josefa Carolina, a gradute of BS Nutrition at Centro Escolar University , married to Virgenio Madriñan, Vice Mayor, who would soon be Mayor of Alicia. Ma. Rosario Regina, the second sister, is AB-Mathematics graduate, who once taught at Divine Word College . Atty. Dionisio Calibo, Jr. is a RTC Judge whose comments on pungent issues concerning public welfare is always sought after.

Bernie enrolled at the St. Joseph College (College of the Holy Spirit) for his elementary education. It was at this early stage that, inspired by his parents and relatives, he thought of becoming a priest; thus, he enrolled at the University of San Carlos Boys High School. Upon entering third year he transferred to Christ the King Seminary in Quezon City , where he finished his secondary course. The next two years found him in the said Seminary, in pursuit of the religious vocation. After his sophomore year in college he entered the novitiate. A couple of years later, he went to the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City . He came back to Christ the King Seminary where he was a regent for two semesters.

Simultaneously, he studied English and History, also for two semesters. Usually, in the SVD, it takes 11 years before ordination, more than 3 years in the secular order. It was during this time that he decided to turn over a new leaf. He went back home to Tagbilaran City , and decided to take up law at the Divine Word College ( Holy Name University ). He finished the 4-year course in 1973, two years after the declaration of the Martial Law.

That same year, he took and passed the BAR exams. After taking his Oath as a lawyer, he stayed in Manila , instead of flying back home. He got a job as a Lawyer with the Office of the Chairman of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM). NAPOLCOM is not made up of policemen, nor is it a part of PNP. It is not also under DILG, but it is attached to DILG for coordination purposes. The Secretary of DILG has authority of NAPOLCOM, not in his capacity as DILG secretary, but as Member of the collegial body manning NAPOLCOM, which is made up of civilians who police the police.

NAPOLCOM was established in 1966, a body originally created not only to control abuses of policemen but also to look after their welfare. It was a welcome change, because even those in the higher ranks did not like going against their subordinates. The agency, at the same time, takes care of good policemen, including those who are victims of harassment, who are given free legal service. Through the years NAPOLCOM has dismissed hundreds of policemen, including 40 Colonels and 20 Generals. The latter were given option: early retirement or prosecution.

Atty. Calibo has been serving NAPOLCOM for the past 33 years. Aside from various investigative jobs, he has been abroad several times (Japan, Beijing, China, Seoul, Kuwait, USA, etc.) to give lectures on jurisprudence and police concerns for the United Nations. He even experienced working with the FBI. The NAPOLCOM Journal is also his concern. It is a quarterly with international circulation, catering to lawyers and general justice practitioners. Director Calibo does not confine himself to the NAPOLCOM shell; he is active in activities outside of his main functions. Lately, he was elected President of the Philippine Aoica Codya Association.

As Director he has authored a 7-point program for NAPOLCOM, which was approved but has not yet been implemented. For instance, he has proposed the Police Fund, the Marriage Fund, the termination from service (after one year) of policemen who do not live up to the standards of the profession. The last proposal intends to cleanse the police system from scalawags without need of a long trial, like the famous Scotland Yard which dismisses one-third of its force every year.

He also proposes to touch base with the Bishops Business Conference (BBC) to send a delegate to the NAPOLCOM procurement board. His religiosity is very much a part of his life; and he knows the good influences it has for any profession. Bernie Calibo started as a lawyer in the Office of the Chairman. His capabilities soon became known, without him mindful about it, and he was promoted Executive Assistant. Later, he got another promotion as Board Secretary, until he was appointed Director, a position he has been handling for 8 years. All of these promotions were well-deserved. NAPOLCOM Director Bernardo Rocha Calibo has the respect of his subordinates not only because of his capabilities, but also because he leads by example. With BAMMI admiration is added to that respect. For him, service knows no boundaries, but policing the police is one great deed he pursues with untarnished dedication.

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