I met the Focolare Movement in 1996 when I was still studying at ViSCA,[1] now Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, Leyte. Together with many youths who have since found their respective vocations in the Movement, I strive to put into practice the life of the Gospel that I learned during my student days.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Philippines, quarantine control points (QCPs) were set up as part of the protocols to control the spread of COVID-19. I was assigned to man one of the QCPs from March to June 2020.
In the QCPs, we were at the mercy of the elements with unpredictable weather, prolonged duty shifts, lack of sleep, and limited rest. In each moment of my QCP duty, I always asked the Holy Spirit for the grace to make a conscious decision, to love, to go beyond my limits, and “go the extra mile”[2] that Jesus asks of me as a Christian in dealing with the people I encounter every day.
One time, travelers from another town, aboard a 4-wheel vehicle, stopped at our QCP. They wanted to visit a family. When we asked them for the required documents, they could not produce some that were required by health and safety protocols. Since I was the most Senior Police Officer on the ground, all critical decisions were passed on to me regarding who to allow or disallow entry to Baybay City.
So I approached the group and asked them what the problem was. The driver told me they lacked some requirements. With all the love I could gather, I told him courteously that we could not allow them entry based on the protocols. At this moment, the person lost his temper and started cursing. He ridiculed us policemen, saying that we were men of ill-repute and many similar insulting words.
At that very moment, I remembered the “Art of Loving” of Chiara Lubich who encouraged us to see and love Jesus in every person. But deep inside me, I had a struggle trying to see Jesus in him. Quietly, I prayed while listening attentively to him. In front of me, he poured out his frustrations while I was struggling to control myself and, with faith, trying to see him as another Jesus to be loved.
Moments later, seeing that I did not react to his provocations, he calmed down and asked me what they should do. Out of love, I explained to him that we were not closing our borders; that all they had to do was to simply comply with the requirements. I promised that if they came back with the complete requirements, I would allow them passage.
I offered our apologies for the inconvenience, explaining to them that we police officers were only following orders from higher authorities to implement the protocols for the safety and protection of everyone from the coronavirus.
After the conversation, the travelers’ group turned their vehicle around and returned home in peace. I myself was also at peace and very happy because I was able to conquer myself and love my neighbor, as Jesus would have loved him.
Alwin Laurente
[1] Visayas State College of Agriculture
[2] “Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles” (Matthew 5:41).
