Pangasinan police lauds scrap collector for returning Philippine flag

MANILA, Philippines — The Police Community Relations of Pozorrubio, Pangasinan lauded a scrap collector for returning a Philippine flag he found on a highway.

According to PCR Pozorrubio, scrap collector Nino Malanum, a resident of Barangay Imbalbalatong in the said town, went to the police station on Saturday to voluntarily return the Philippine flag.

Malanum was collecting scrap along a highway in Barangay Alipangpang, Pozorrubio, Pangasinan when he noticed a cloth which he recognized as the Philippine flag inside a plastic container.

He initially hesitated to return the national flag for fear of being blamed for throwing it away or facing raps. However, Malanum said he does not want to leave it anywhere so he decided to turn it over to the police.

Malanum said the flag is “sacred” and should be respected.

For this, Malanum earned praises from Pangasinan police.

“Ang iyong ipinamalas na kabutihan sa pagpapahalaga at pagrespeto sa ating bandila ay aming hinahangaan, Nino Malanum na taga Brgy. Imbalbalatong ng bayang ito. Hindi mo binalewala ang bandilang iyong napulot. Hindi mo tinangkang ito'y iwan sa kung saan o itapon sa basurahan,” PRC Pozurrubio said.

(The goodness you displayed by showing respect to our flag is something we look up to, Nino Malanum of Barangay Imbalbalatong. You did not take for granted the flag that you found. You did not leave it anywhere or throw it away.)

“Isa kang tunay na Pilipino na magsisilbing inspirasyon sa amin,” it added.

(You are a true Filipino who serves as an inspiration for us.)

Under Republic Act 8491 or the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines,” the Philippine flag “shall be displayed in all public buildings, official residences public plazas, and institutions of learning every day throughout the year.”

Section 14 of the act stated that “a flag worn out through wear and tear shall not be thrown away. It shall be solemnly burned to avoid misuse or desecration.”

The law also added that “the flag shall be replaced immediately when it begins to show signs of wear and tear.”