Tagbilaran City Police Station's First Lady Chief of Police Leaves for New Assignment

PLTCOL Mary Crystal B Peralta 

PLTCOL Mary Crystal Bunao Peralta became the first woman to be named Chief of Police of Tagbilaran City Police Station when she assumed the post last May 21, 2020. In her 1st Monday flag raising ceremony as COP, she said: “I will assure you that I will put Tagbilaran City Police Station into the map of the PNP as among the Best City Police Stations in the country.”

Her message for the entire TCPS force that day proved to be prophetic because just a year after her message, TCPS bagged not only Region 7’s Best Police Station- Component City Category but also the Best Junior Police Commissioned Officer for Operations for the TCPS COP for outstanding performance and achievements in service.

She has been with the police service for 22 years and highlighted by her numerous posts and important assignments in the police force that has taken her around the country.  Being the spokesperson for the Police Regional Office 1 is one of her sterling achievements in the course of her law enforcement career. Her factual, efficient and professional way of handling information about the regional command and their activities and the way she maintained a professional and cordial relationship with regional and national media merited her the distinction of being awarded by the Philippine National Police as the nation’s “Best Regional Public Information Officer” for 2019.  

Along with her track record of outstanding performances are her commendable work ethics and strong moral values bound by integrity, strong faith and her love for the country and people as reflected on the numerous awards, commendations, citations, resolutions of appreciation from socio-civic organizations, plaques, certificates from the PNP, Local Government Units and stakeholders. She has also earned two consecutive semester for Outstanding Individual Performance Evaluation Rating (July 2021 – December 2021 and January 2022 – June 2022).

In the field of Police Community Relations, she has also managed to provide linkages between PNP & the community. She not only won the hearts and minds of the people but also earned their trust and cooperation.

She is aware that the key in achieving targets and goals is through a strengthened police & community partnership which is gained not only by implementing activities but also by initiating well-planned PCR programs. 

From the time that she assumed office and up to the present, she has succeeded in creating goodwill for the police force because of her significant impact projects for the community.  

One of her defining moments was OPERATION: “RESCUING THE RESCUERS” AFTER TYPHOON ODETTE – TCPS COP PLTCOL PERALTA reminded the whole Team TCPS of the PNP core values, Maka-Diyos, Maka-Kalikasan, Maka-Tao at Maka-Bansa as their guide during the aftermath of Super Typhoon Odette’s devastation  of Tagbilaran City and the entire province of Bohol.  PLTCOL Peralta initiated the 1st relief operations on December 21, 2021 in Loboc, Bohol after giving a portion of her salary. Inspired by her good deeds, TCPS personnel also contributed to the noble endeavor even though they were also typhoon victims.  Afterwards, Team TCPS with PLTCOL Peralta at the helm organized and conducted a series of relief operations to the most affected areas around the province. Business companies, civic groups and private citizens responded to the call for donations while Team TCPS and volunteers oversaw the repacking of food, bottled water & rice donations.  Kind- hearted individuals dropped by to offer assistance including vehicles to transport the relief packs.   

On those days of uncertainty and despair, TCPS led by PLTCOL Peralta and her son Justin teamed up with Bohol PPO led by PCOL Osmundo D. Salibo, PD  and joined also by the PD’s wife, Mrs. Arlene Salibo,  and their children in the spreading of holiday cheers through “OPERATION: Rescuing the Rescuers”, the distribution of relief goods to affected PNP personnel and their families from badly-hit police stations in Bohol specifically Loboc, Inabanga, Buenavista, Ubay and Carlos P. Garcia, the SAF in Alicia and the RMFB7 in Loon. This was in coordination with private individuals & stakeholders, RESILIENT Bohol headed by Dalareich Polot & Aimee Lim, from the Rotary Club of Lower Session Road, Baguio City headed by Ms. Katrina Victoria Gumaya, and the Philippine Dental Association – Bohol Chapter headed by Dr. Amce Pinos. 

Finally, she is the first TCPS COP to establish a weekly awards ceremony that would recognize personnel for notable accomplishments in order to motivate personnel and boost their morale.   

Her will to carry on and soar high fueled by her passion to serve and to improve the image of the Philippine National Police continuously is an epitome of leadership as a public servant.  

Just two years after assuming the post of TCPS Police Chief, PLTCOL PERALTA has made true her vow to boost the morale of her personnel, look out for their welfare and to push them to perform better and to grow as law enforcers. 

By initiating transparency in communication, showing consistency through words and deeds and maintaining the role of a leader who balances a firm and iron- will in decision- making as well as compassion and understanding for her personnel, she was able to rally them to her side as they perform their important roles as law enforcers who maintain peace and order especially during this pandemic and thus become effective partners in community building.

As she turns over the reins of leadership to the next Tagbilaran City Police Station Chief of Police, she leaves behind a legacy of firm & decisive leadership that has impacted not only on a revitalized police force but also a grateful city that has been made safer to live in, work in and do business in.

Cheers PLTCOL PERALTA and long may you serve the PNP and the country!