Strength in silence

Some government agencies have been recently fraught with controversies as targets of criticism, among the most maligned being the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Reading the headlines, most particularly of the national newspapers, a misinformed observer may even imbibe the wrong impression that the country is in the brink of perdition, which is not an accurate assessment. While it is true that there are scalawags in uniform, the number of the misguided elements is insignificant compared to most who have proven themselves worthy of trust and confidence, as they have been performing their duties and responsibilities in accordance with the tenets they have sworn to uphold.

In the island Province of Bohol an officer stands tall, untarnished by the onslaught some of his comrades in the other places have been lobbed at condescendingly. The local papers made a few unsavory comments on his performance a few months after he took over the reins as PNP Provincial Director of Bohol , but he was not intimidated by these sporadic criticisms. Steadfast in his resolve to do what is expected of him, he took things in stride while facing squarely the public clamor, but not in a confrontational manner characterizing the arrogant. It is in this context that Police Senior Superintendent Sancho Buscano Bernales was able to surmount the obstacles on his way and prove his worth.

Sancho was born in Candijay, Bohol on June 5, 1949 . His father, Narciso Piquero Bernales, was a school Principal of Mabini until he retired and became a Councilor. His mother Isabel Amora was also a school teacher in Mabini. Being brought up by teacher-parents, the eight children learned even at an early age the value of education, discipline, and industry. As the eldest in the family, he learned responsibility even at a tender age. Next to him is Cresencia, also a teacher in Mabini. Fidela is a Nurse, and presently the Dean of the College of Nursing of Cagayan de Oro University. Narciso, Jr. is a Doctor of Medicine by profession having a successful private practice in Bukidnon. Antonio finished Bachelor of Science in Commerce who opted to become a Policeman. He is now based in Region VIII. Ramonita is another Nurse in the family, now with the Rural Health Office in Mabini. Grace finished BSC and works in the Manila South Harbor . The youngest, Quinciano, finished a course in Dentistry, and helps operate a clinic, while being a business entrepreneur, in Ubay.

Sancho Bernales started his studies at the Cabulao Elementary School in Mabini (1956-62), and enrolled at the Sta. Monica Institute (1962-66) for his secondary education. He went to Cebu City and studied at the University of the Visayas, where he finished BSC in 1970. Despite his workload he enrolled at Southwestern University where he finished his third year for a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1994. In 1999 he graduated with a Master's Degree in Public Administration at Southwestern University .

Becoming the Police Senior Superintendent and Provincial Director has capped his military career, but this he attained through determination and good performance. In 1974 he went to the IPC Training Center in Pampanga for his Probationary Officers Training Course. The following year he went to Cp. Castañeda Training Center in Cavite , at the IPCZ Training Center , for his PCOLT –JWMOC. In the same venue he trained for his PC Officers Basic Course and PC Officers Advance Course in 1982 and 1987. From April 24, 2000 to January 19, 2001 he was in Apas, Cebu City , at the RTS 7 for his PSOSEC. All these trainings honed up his skills as a military man. Not only did PS Supt. Bernales subject himself to augmentation courses, he was given several assignments all over the country. Being a good soldier that he always has been, he obeyed his superiors and accepted any assignment, even if it meant being away from his family.

He was assigned Junior Officer–324 PC Coy, Iloilo City; Junior Officer-322 PC Coy, Janiuay, Iloilo; Junior Officer-336 PC Coy, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental; Commanding Officer-1st PC Provincial Coy, RECOM 7; Commanding Officer-337 PC Coy, Dumaguete City; Commanding Officer-353 PC Coy, Sogod, Southern Leyte; Intelligence and Operations Officer-PC Leyte, Tacloban City; Commanding Officer-358 PC Coy Capoocan, Leyte; Chief, CIB-R2, Recom 7, Cebu City; Commanding Officer-342 PC Coy, Bogo, Cebu; Intelligence and Investigation Officer-PC Bohol, Tagbilaran City; Commanding Officer-346 PC Coy, Carmen, Bohol; Commanding Officer-343 MF Coy, Tagbilaran City; M3/Operation Officer-Cebu METRODISCOM, Cebu City; Operation Officer-Cebu Provincial Police Command; APD for Operation-Cebu Provincial Police Command; District Director-Cebu 6th Police District Command; ASST City Director-Cebu City Police Office; Group Director-Cebu City Traffic Group/CITOM; Deputy City Director for Administration-Cebu City Police Office; OIC, City Director-Cebu City Police Office; and Provincial Director-Bohol Police Provincial Office.

PSSupt. Sancho Bernales is a multi-awarded military man. Among the medals, awards, and commendations he received are the following: Military Merit Medal, GO#19 Hqs III PCZ (1976); Medalya ng Kagalingan, GO# Hqs PNP Region 7 (1991); Long Service Medal, GO# 223 HPC (1988); Visayas Anti-Desindent Campaign, GO# 262 Hqs Viscom (1989); Medalya ng Paglalaban sa Manliligalig, GO# 406 Hqs PNP RECOM 7 (1995); Medalya ng Pagtutulong sa Nasasalanta, GO# 511 Hqs PNP RECOM 7 (1995); Medalya ng Paglilingkod sa Visayas, GO# 514 Hqs PNP RECOM 7(1995); Medalya ng Ugnayang Pampulisya, GO# 407 Hqs PNP RECOM 7 (1995); and Medalya ng Kasanayan (1993). Plus many Plaques of Merit by different agencies and organizations, aside from more than 30 letters of commendations.

Like a typical Boholano, PSSupt. Bernales considers his family a main concern that cannot be delegated. While at SWU he met and fall in love with Evelyn Cutanda, also from Ubay. She was a graduate of Medical Technology and was Chief of Medical Technologies of the institution. But as fate world have it, she passed away, which was a devastating experience for him and his children. Life has to go on. His single parenting to his four children is starting to bear fruit. His eldest, Melvin (27) finished Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of San Carlos , and works at the DTI Regional Office. Sherwin (26) is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at SWU, and is connected with Hanjin. Neniz (25) is a BSC-Banking and Finance major at SWU and is preparing to be an entrepreneur. The youngest, Mariann (20), is a senior BSN student at SWU.

There was a time when PSSupt. Bernales was in the receiving end of negative criticisms as an offshoot to a deteriorating peace and order situation in Bohol , made more pronounced by a string of unresolved robberies. The comments from the print and broadcast media even bordered on sarcasm, with no less than the Governor talking him to perk up. He became the proverbial punching bag that absorbed all the blows from all directions: from well-meaning citizens and nuisance kibitzers. Yet, through these discordant accusations and allegations, he just kept his silence. Which was a good move. Nobody can win against a horde of Shylocks ready to have their pound of flesh. The ebbing of the tide proved his point. Meanwhile, he and his men worked with nary a funfair, just like the Balatero case. Col. Sancho Bernales retired last year, but the Province of Bohol needs his kind of dedicated service; thus, he is now still on top shape as Peace and Order Consultant and Head of the Provincial Security Force. This officer is another gentleman who does not enjoy basking in the limelight. For him, his positive actions and his silence are potent weapons in his career, as he serves his nation the best way he could.

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