Tacloban City (CNN Philippines, December 22) — Amid the recent war on drugs and some teenagers being killed, some children may find it hard to see the kindness of a red-suited Santa Claus in a police officer, clad in blue.
But on Wednesday, policemen from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 8 Eastern Visayas made effort to gain the trust of over a hundred orphans, all in the spirit of Christmas.
Police officers became foster parents of over a hundred children in the day’s activity. Among the kids were children orphaned after super-typhoon Yolanda hit this city in November 2013.
Wearing Santa hats with their police uniforms, the police walked with kids with an arm around them, shared food, and gifted everyone with toys, bags, and slippers.
Children of policemen who died in the 2013 super-typhoon were also given cash assistance.
Like the ordinary Filipino family, police officers also spent an hour or two with the kids to roam around the mall and gift them with whatever they wanted.
The PNP’s Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa-mascot “PO1 Bato” joined the police and the kids.
Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Gilberto Cruz said the activity was fulfilling for them, since they made the kids feel they are remembered and that there are people willing to help them.
