Marantan orders unified flag rites in PRO-4A, invokes Heraldic Law to strengthen national identity

DAVAO CITY (May 4) — In a decisive move anchored on patriotism and discipline, Police Regional Office 4A (CALABARZON) Regional Director Hansel Marantan has ordered the strict and unified observance of the Monday flag-raising ceremony inside Camp Vicente Lim, invoking the principles of the country’s Heraldic Law to reinforce respect for national symbols.

What was once a routine ceremony transformed into a powerful display of unity, as uniformed personnel, civilian staff, and representatives from various national government offices gathered under a single formation, standing side by side beneath one Philippine flag.

“This is not just a ceremony. This is a declaration of who we are as Filipinos,” Marantan said. “Every office, every agency within Camp Vicente Lim must stand together. Raising our flag is not merely an act of patriotism, it is our responsibility.

The directive draws from the spirit of Republic Act No. 8491, also known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which mandates proper respect, display, and observance of the national flag and anthem. The law emphasizes that ceremonies such as flag raising are not symbolic formalities but essential expressions of national identity, unity, and sovereignty.

Prior to the order, offices within the camp conducted separate ceremonies or in some cases, none, with only skeletal personnel participating. The fragmented observance, Marantan noted, diluted the very essence of collective patriotism that the law seeks to uphold.

On Monday, however, the transformation was unmistakable. Personnel arrived in full force, each unit represented, yet all standing as one—embodying a unified police organization committed not only to law enforcement but to nationhood.

The move echoes Marantan’s earlier implementation of a similar policy during his tenure as city director of the Davao City Police Office. There, he enforced strict compliance among agencies within shared government spaces, even restricting access to those who failed to observe the unified ceremonies that drew both attention and eventual adherence.

By institutionalizing a synchronized flag-raising practice in PRO-4A, Marantan is sending a clear message: discipline begins with respect for national symbols, and unity is forged not only in operations, but in shared acts of patriotism.

In an era where public service is constantly tested, the Monday assembly in Camp Vicente Lim stands as a reminder that beyond mandates and missions, the strength of government institutions lies in a common identity—one flag, one nation, one purpose.-Editha Z. Caduaya