Police unveils Christ’s image for green advocacy

PALO, Leyte, June 4 – The Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office here has erected the “Environmental Jesus”, an image of the crucified Christ made up of materials confiscated in police operations, scraps and typhoon debris.

Outgoing PNP Region 8 Director Chief Supt. Gilberto Cruz led the unveiling of the image on Monday as part of the police regional office's advocacy to abide environment laws

“I noticed that most people here in the region are not really aware of how to take care of the environment. I tried to advocate something with the advice of the PNP chaplain to create awareness that every day, humans are destroying the environment and we need to stop it,” Cruz said.

Included in the materials used to create the image of Jesus Christ are six rifles that represent the six provinces in Eastern Visayas, two chainsaw resembling the two commitments of the police regional office to uphold humanity and despise man-made destruction.

There are also five mufflers representing five environmental problems in the country - pollution, global warming, overpopulation, natural resources depletion, and waste disposal.

Other confiscated materials used are 16mm mortar and rifle grenade that were used as nails of the Environmental Christ; 365 confiscated pistols were used to form the body of Jesus Christ, while I-Beam and magazine are formed into a cross.

Axes, saw mill blades, bolo, water tank, chain, dynamite, barbed wire, engine parts, fishing troll, fine fish nets and clock are also used by the sculptor to create the image.

The PNP also installed solar-powered lights to illuminate the area at night.

The image was erected at the top of the mountain inside the police regional office in Camp Kangleon, Palo and was created by metal sculptor Lucky Salayog, a native of Aurora, Isabela.

Salayog said that it took him two months to create the face of the crucified Christ while the body took him two weeks to complete.

“I made the face in my shop in Isabela, but I made the body here because the materials were here. I made the whole sculpture in three months,” Salayog said.

Salayog added that it did not take long for him to create the sculptor because the idea of environmental protection is close to his heart.

“Metal is my comfort zone in creating art because it has unique character and at the same time use your imagination to create an artwork,” Salayog said.

The Environmental Jesus is an innovative holistic representation of the region’s people who are always facing climate and environment challenges due to its geographical setting, Cruz said.

It also embodies the commitment of the PNP to address criminality and disaster without compromising the environment.

The PNP will open the Environmental Jesus statue to the public especially on Holy Week. Before reaching the statue on the top of the mountain, a station of the cross was erected along the way.

On Monday, Cruz formally left Eastern Visayas after serving as PNP regional director for nine months. He will be replaced by Chief Supt. Mariel Magaway, the current chief of the Camp Crame-based PNP intelligence command.

Cruz, who received his relief order on June 1, will be assigned as the deputy chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Eastern Mindanao but based in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

The change of command is part of a major revamp in the PNP initiated by Director General Oscar Albayalde. (RTA/PNA)