Coco Martin hails PNP at Crame flag-raising rite

Photo from PNP PIO

MEMBERS of the police force had earned Coco Martin’s respect after he did a series of police trainings for his portrayal of a Special Action Force trooper killed in the deadly Mamasapano operation.

During the weekly flag raising ceremony at Camp Crame on Monday, the actor delivered a message before Philippine National Police personnel to thank them for their service to the country.

In his speech, Martin expressed admiration for the sacrifices and dedication that police officers give, especially when they go through rigorous combat trainings.

“Noong panahon na nagte-training ako para gampanan ko ang buhay ng isang SAF 44, ngayon po nag-training din po ulit ako para gampanan ang buhay ng isang pulis, sobra po akong humahanga sa inyong lahat. Sa dedikasyon at hirap na pinagdaanan sa inyong mga training,” he said.

Martin, Rodel Nacianceno in real life, played as Chief Inspector John Garry Erana in the ABS-CBN drama anthology “Maalala Mo Kaya” while actress Angel Locsin took the role of Suzette Tucay, Erana’s girlfriend.

Along with 43 SAF troopers, Erana, a member of the 55th Special Action Company, was killed in the January 25 operation for Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir or “Marwan” and his associates in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Erana, 28, graduated as baron of the PNP Academy class of 2009.

Through his portrayals of policeman’s roles, Martin said he hopes that this would be instrumental in bringing back “the love [of], respect [for] and high regard of the people” for the PNP.

“Sana po magkaroon din sila (people) ng pagkakataon  na makausap kayo at maintindihan kung ano ng klaseng paghihirap, kung anong klaseng buhay araw-araw ang dinadanas niyo, sa lahat ng hirap niyo sa training para protektahan kami, gabayan at alagaan kaming mga mamamayan,” he said.

After Martin’s short message, Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo and Police Director Danilo Constantino handed to him a black jacket embroidered with his name and word “Police.”

Martin then graced the showing of two MMK episodes, which featured Erana’s story and Senior Inspector Rennie Tayrus played by actor Ejay Falcon, at the Multipurpose Center in Camp Crame before hundreds of police officers.

After his successful portrayal of a SAF trooper, Martin will star in a remake of Fernando Poe Jr.’s “Ang Probinsyano” also as a policeman. AC