‘Selfless’ QC cop on aid to couple: Just doing my job

MANILA, Philippines – When Senior Police Inspector 1 Ariel Camiling was called to the office of Quezon City’s top cop on Wednesday, October 15, he feared he would be reprimanded for being seen in public with a small towel around his neck – a violation – while helping a couple with car engine trouble along EDSA.

To his surprise, Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, barely a week in his new post as Quezon City Police District chief, gave him a pat on the back.

Camiling gained the attention – and admiration – of Netizens after Facebook user Joann Angeles delos Santos posted on social media her encounter with the “selfless and generous” police officer in front of Camp Aguinaldo along EDSA on October 11. They had pushed their car all the way from Corinthian Gardens after encountering engine trouble.

Camiling said in an interview on DZMM on Saturday, October 18, that he and his partner were patrolling the White Plains area going to Camp Aguinaldo along EDSA when they saw a car stalled in front of the military camp’s Gate 4. After observing a man and a woman walking in and out of the car for about 20 minutes, he approached them and volunteered to help.

Eventually, he traced the cause of the mechanical problem and even put in the spare part that the husband fortunately had with him. It was after the car had been fixed when the Delos Santoses became even more convinced that they had encountered an extraordinary cop.

“Dumukot ng salapi [si Joann], sabi niya pangmeryenda raw. Sabi ko, ‘Itago ‘nyo na lang po ‘yan, mas kilangan niyo yan, bibiyahe pa kayo,'” he recalled telling Delos Santos, as he knew that they were on their way to Montalban in Rizal.

(She got some money and said it’s to buy snacks. I said, ‘Just keep it, you need it more, you still have a long way to go.)

It was a small gesture that resonated not only with the couple but everybody else who learned about the story. This, at a time when higher ranking police officers, including the chief of the National Police, are being hounded by allegations of corruption. Here was a lowly officer showing what a model cop should be.

The experience prompted Delos Santos to share her experience on social media in the hope that Camiling would at least get a commendation for his act.

The police officer learned about it after he checked his Facebook page and accepted a friend request from Delos Santos. His family was thrilled by the praises he received. Had it not been for Delos Santos, they might never have known; Camiling said it’s not his habit to tell people, even his family, about his accomplishments.

‘Just part of the job’

For the 51-year-old police officer, helping distressed citizens – even beyond the call of duty, as when he volunteered to be a car “mechanic” to the distressed couple – is just part of his job.

This was why he thought he would be reprimanded when the new QCPD chief summoned him days after the photos covertly taken by Delos Santos went viral on social media, showing him in uniform with a towel around his neck.

“Pinatawag ako nang makalipas ‘yon. Kinakabahan ako. Opo, dahil ‘yung bimpo nakasabit sa leeg ko noong time na ‘yon baka doon ako nag-violate kasi bawal po ‘yun. Yun pala, binabati po niya ako,” he said.

(I was summoned after that. I got nervous because the towel around my neck at the time, that was a violation. But instead, he commended me.)

Asked why he decided to help the couple fix their car, even when it wasn’t part of his job, Delos Santos said he was just raised to help whoever needs help.

He said there have been many other instances when he had been approached by people without any transportation fare, and he would give them money so they could get home. 

Asked for his message to his fellow police officers, Camiling, who began his career in 1983 and is due to retire in about 3 years, said, “Sa kanilang paggawa ng tungkulin bilang pulis, sana nasa puso nila ang  kanilang pagseserbisyo, at tulungan ang ating mga mamayan sa abot ng kanilang nakakaya.”

(In performing their duties as police officers, I hope public service is in their heart so they would help our citizens the best that they can.)

Having been in service for 31 years, and blessed with the kind of work attitude that should be required of public servants, many are wondering why Camiling does not have a higher rank. 

Camiling was asked the same question in the radio interview. He said he never sought a promotion, and just waited for it, based on his accomplishments, following procedure. – Rappler.com