(POLICE REGIONAL OFFICE 8)
TACLOBAN CITY – About 50 police personnel from the region had their marital union blessed in a mass wedding ceremony spearheaded by the Police Regional Office 8, aptly named “Kasalang Pulis sa Rehiyon Otso,” held at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño last Friday (Feb.23).
During his homily, Police Major Rev. Fr. Rhey Dollesin, regional pastoral officer, underscored the significance of friendship, fecundity, fidelity, and forgiveness in nurturing a successful marriage. He urged the couples to emulate Jesus’s selflessness and embrace a life of prayer in their journey together.
“In today’s world, the concept of ‘forever’ in relationships is often lost. However, for our police officers in PRO 8 who unite in marriage every year, this stands as a testament to their belief in forever,” he added.
Standing as principal sponsors were PRO 8 Regional Director, B/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid; M/Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, director of the directorate for comptrollership; Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez; and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez who was represented by ABC president Raymund Romualdez.
Pawid expressed gratitude for the generosity and unwavering support behind the success of the mass wedding rites.
He lauded the initiative as a best practice of the PRO-8, hoping for its continuation annually, and warmly congratulated the couples on their union blessed by God.
“As your marriage is blessed by the Lord, I wish you all the best as one family, and remember, the secret to a lasting marriage is ‘forgive and forget’,” he added.
The mass wedding, an annual event organized by the Regional Community Affairs and Development Division and the Regional Chaplain Service, commenced on February 28, 2022, with 16 couples, followed by another ceremony on June 14, 2023, joining 48 couples.
This initiative aims to provide recognition to both uniformed and non-uniformed police personnel cohabiting with their partners, legitimizing their relationships in accordance with the PNP’s call for morality and decency.
A traditional reception followed featuring the grand entrance of the newlyweds, and wedding rituals such as cake cutting and wine toasting.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
