CAGAYAN de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) Director Col. Aaron Mandia emphasized the importance of unity among the police and media personnel covering the police beat in the city as he announced that media can now directly request information from police station commanders.
The guest speaker Mandia assured the media especially police beat reporters of access to information in his message during the culmination night of the 41st Press Freedom Week at Philtown Hotel on Saturday, May 27.
“Media is always important to us so that the people will know what we are doing,” Mandia told press members.
Mandia also added that station commanders including law enforcers in the field know best what happened on the ground, as he said that all information need not always come from him.
“We are part of your career, we are part of your work. Kung baga isa tayo,” he opined.
Even after serving for two decades in the Police Regional Office-10, which included almost two years as the acting and full-fledged city police director, Col. Mandia stated that it had not hindered his communication with the press.
He acknowledged that Cocpo has a designated spokesperson, but he believes that any member of the police force can speak on behalf of the city police because they are also part of the media.
Mandia invited all 10 police station commanders to join him in a ‘Meet the Press’ forum organized by the Cagayan de Oro Press Club to ensure that information flows smoothly.
He expressed his gratitude to media reporters and village leaders who promptly responded to their requests during police operations, saying that they could not proceed and succeed without their support.
He also humbly acknowledged that it was part of the media’s job if they were criticized, as there would be no issue without a problem.
“Kasi hindi naman siguro kami mabatikos sa media kung walang isyu,” he said.
According to Mandia, there were instances when he couldn’t immediately answer calls from the media because he may have been in a meeting or engaged in an operation.
However, he promised to return their calls once he’s available.
He also assured the media that he is open to any police officer answering their queries.
Mandia emphasized that he has given the media the freedom to speak up because they are the ones on the ground and have first-hand knowledge of the situation.
Mandia also acknowledged the role of the press in improving the image of Cocpo during his leadership, resulting in him being awarded the “Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Operations” by the Police Regional Office-10 for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022).
He plans to compete for national honors again.
While he wishes to continue serving as the city police director, his two-year tour of duty will end next month.
He has declined the city mayor’s request for an extension of his services, as it could potentially delay the career advancements of his colleagues.
Mandia recently turned 50 years old on May 21, but as a Philippine National Police Academy graduate, he is mandated to retire at 56.
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