When protectors need protection

THE DEATH of a police staff sergeant in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo — still under investigation and reportedly involving two gunshot wounds to the head — has sparked conversations on the quiet but pressing concern of mental health within the Philippine National Police.

While the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) have commendably intensified mental wellness checks and psychological support programs, it is clear that much more is needed. Programs exist, yes — but are they reaching those who need them most? Are they funded, sustained, and institutionalized? Or are they ad hoc responses to a growing problem no one dares to speak about out loud?

Local initiatives such as station visits by medical officers, the “squadding system”
for peer discussions, and even radio segments aimed at mental health awareness are steps in the right direction. But they remain insufficient in the face of a high-stress environment, compounded by the stigma attached to seeking psychological help in a culture of machismo and silent suffering.

Until now, both ICPO and IPPO have failed to present measurable data: How many officers have sought help? How many are in treatment? Have incidents of psychological crises decreased? Without transparency and accountability, the success of these efforts cannot be properly assessed. Worse, without dedicated mental health budgets and full-time mental health professionals embedded in police stations, these initiatives may prove unsustainable.

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Region 6 has reaffirmed its support for wellness programs, but it must go beyond statements of concern. The commission must lead the way in pushing for policy reforms that embed psychological resilience training in police academies, ensure mandatory annual psychological evaluations, and guarantee confidential access to professional help.

Our police officers face daily trauma, violence, and moral stressors that most civilians cannot fathom. Yet, we still treat mental health as an optional afterthought. This is not only a failure of institutional care but also a danger to public safety. A mentally unwell force — left unsupported — is a risk to itself and to the very communities it is sworn to protect.

It is time we stop expecting our protectors to suffer in silence. If we truly value the men and women behind the badge, we must protect them, too — starting with their mental health.

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