The Tough Career of Yolie and John Patrick Aggabao

…police officers and parents

By Apolinario Villalobos

Yolie and John Patrick met in the year 2000 when they were classmates at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) and got married when they were in their third year, as 2^nd class cadets. It was not a whirlwind love affair or a so-called “love at first sight”, but rather, one which was carefully nurtured resulting to a tightly bound commitment.

While Yolie is assigned at the Directorate for Logistics of the PNP National Headquarters at Camp Crame, as Assistant Division Chief for Supply Management, John Patrick is in central Mindanao, particularly, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. He is the Officer In-Charge of the local PNP Force and his calm countenance contradicts the negative expectation on what it is to be assigned in Mindanao…which many Manila-based policemen dread. This is the reason why there was much grumbling from the ranks of Mindanao policemen when the national leadership of the PNP treated the region as a dumping ground for the scalawag policemen from Manila, and who need to be reformed as the move had an impression of being a threat. 

John Patrick starts the day at the Tacurong PNP HQ with the formation of his Force during which a review of the previous day’s rounds is made, aside from his tireless giving of reminders on courtesy and honesty. Reports from the different units are given way for every one’s information, and if it is a Thursday, those with Islamic faith are reminded about their spiritual obligation the following day, Friday. After the formation, those on off duty stretch their muscles for several minutes of calisthenics.

With the onset of the Christian Advent season, he sees to it that those assigned at areas where the Misa de Gallo is held, are already in their posts not later than 2:30AM. And, as the PNP Headquarters is open 24/7, he has “quartered” himself in his meagerly furnished office. In so short a time, he has gained the reputation as a “soft spoken and a gentleman in uniform”. Effortlessly, in his very affable manner, he is changing the image of the police from “not so good” to “very good”.

Behind the gentle countenance is a disciplinarian father…that is according to Yolie. His love to their children, Kirsten (13 years old, Grade 8), Elianai (10 years old, Grade 4), and Kaithlyn ( 4 years old and in Nursery) is hinged on discipline. When he was yet with them, prior to his assignment in Tacurong City, he saw to it that the attention they got from him was not tinged with coddling.

On the other hand, Yolie is having a tough time as she is left with their three children. But being a woman with resilient character, she is able to properly divide her time between her career and motherly responsibilities. She tries her best to spend the best quality time with their children, aside from showing her equally best diligence as a career woman so that her bosses will not hesitate to grant her requests for emergency leaves as the needs would arise. This “compromise” more than makes Yolie a contented mother, wife, and a satisfied “lady cop”.

Finally, she confided that she and her husband were aware of the complications, especially, during holidays, that they would encounter while raising a family….they, being both in the uniformed service of the government.

Tough and  ideal couple, indeed, ….P/Supt. Yolie and P/Supt. John Patrick Aggabao, worthy of emulation!