ASEANAPOL Executive Director Inspires Future Law Enforcers at Universidad de Zamboanga

On 29 March 2025, the Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ) proudly welcomed Police Colonel (PCOL) David Martinez Vinluan, the 8th Executive Director of the ASEAN Chiefs of National Police (ASEANAPOL) Secretariat, for a series of meaningful engagements with students, faculty, and university leadership. PCOL Vinluan, the first Filipino and Zamboangueño to hold this prestigious position, brings great honor to both his city and the nation.

Serving as the guest speaker at a special forum hosted by UZ’s College of Criminal Justice Education, Executive Director Vinluan was warmly received by Dean Ms. Emily Sarte, University President Mr. Abram M. Eustaquio, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jo-Anne J. Bernardo, Dr. Felice Noelle Rodriguez, and nearly 200 graduating criminology students attending both in person and virtually. These young men and women represent the future of law enforcement in the Philippines.

The College of Criminal Justice Education is recognized for its dedication to leadership development, academic excellence, and ethical law enforcement. The forum served as a timely opportunity to reinforce these core values and to underscore the importance of integrity, professionalism, and community service in public safety.

Joining Executive Director Vinluan were Mr. Roland Elviña and Mr. Berlie Yap members of the Bless Our Cops (BOC) Movement, a faith-based, non-denominational initiative under the Philippine National Police Directorate for Police Community Relations and Police Major Melvin Solmayor of the Zamboanga City Police Office. In his address, the Executive Director Vinluan highlighted the vital role of moral character and spiritual resilience in policing. The BOC Movement advocates for the moral and spiritual renewal of police officers and their families, providing values formation, counselling, prayer support, and family-centered programs that strengthen emotional and psychological well-being—particularly in high-stress environments such as Zamboanga City.

Rooted in the principles of faith, compassion, and integrity, the BOC Movement promotes servant leadership, accountability, and humility, aligning with the broader vision of community-oriented policing. Its presence at the forum emphasized the importance of nurturing the internal character of future officers, ensuring they are both professionally capable and morally grounded.

This engagement reflects ASEANAPOL’s regional commitment to advancing ethical leadership and values-based policing. Through initiatives like the BOC Movement, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat reaffirms its vision of a peaceful and secure ASEAN community—anchored in trust, empathy, and professionalism. As Executive Director Vinluan remarked, “True security begins with law enforcers who uphold the law with integrity and serve the people with compassion.”