'Pusong Mamon' not 'Pusong Bato': A story of a compassionate cop

In a country where presence of police officers creates more suspicions and scare than comfort, one law enforcer proves heroism and compassion are virtues still present within their ranks. 

In just a few minutes, PO1 Jessie Mallari became a social media hero when a photo of him helping an old wounded beggar outside a church in Davao City quickly spread like wild fire. 

In an interview with ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda, Mallari recounted how an old man, wounded and bleeding, caught his attention that early morning of March 24. 

"Mula alas-5:00 ng madaling araw maaga siyang dumating sa simbahan so hanggang tanghali nandun siya. Naglilimos kasi siya," he said

According to the young police officer, the old man's head accidentaly got hit causing it to bleed. 

A certain photo journalist took shot of Mallari putting bondage around the old man's head and the rest, as people would say, is history. 

"Tinulungan ko siya nilagyan ng bondage tapos pinatigil 'yung dugo pero noong mga alas-7:00 ng umaga, napansin namin dumudugo ulit 'yung sugat niya so tinulungan namin ulit tapos dinala na namin siya dun sa bus namin para dun na siya mag-stay kasi mainit na."

After earning hundreds of praises from netizens, PNP Chief Director General Allan Purisima recognized Mallari together with another police officer with a new pistol and some cash. 

"This shows na hindi lahat ng pulis ay masama. Madami tayong katulad ni PO1 Mallari," he said. 

Many people are saying that the power of social media should once again remind our law enforcers that their tiniest moves never go unnoticed. But Mallari wasn't thinking that way. Suprised by the attention and praise he's getting, the young police officer said he was just simply doing his job adding, "human reaction naman na tumulong." What he did was a very simple act of of kindness. But maybe in a world hungry for stories of kindness and compassion, Mallari's small unknowing contribution definitely deserves a headline.

Happy with the new positivity brought to the entire police force, Davao City police chief Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa said Mallari's act should serve as an inspiration and proof that there are still officers out there who stay true to their mandate of serving and protecting the people. 

"Na-prove naming mga pulis-Davao na kahit kami'y tinatawag na may pusong-bato, mayroon kaming pusong-mamon para sa mga mahihirap, may kapansanan at lalong-lalo na sa mga inaapi," he said.