PNP News Releases 2006

A CHILD'S DYING WISH: TO BECOME A COP

Joe Allan Mark Mendoza, the boy whose wish to become a policeman was granted by the Philippine National Police in 2003 succumbed to his rare disease yesterday. He was 10 years old.

When he was six years old in March 2003, Joe Allan or Jam-Jam, wearing a set of custom-made police uniform and regalia, stood alongside members of the PNP Command Group and proudly saluted the troops during a parade and review ceremony in his honor.

Jam-Jam fought a long hard battle with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). His remains now lie at the PNP Mortuary Chapel in Camp Crame with full honors befitting a departed member of the uniformed service.

His parents, Leo and Rosario Mendoza, are grateful that their child's dying wish to become a “policeman” has been granted.

In 2003, the PNP was informed of Jam-Jam's condition by local volunteers of Make-A-Wish Foundation, an international organization that has granted over 100,000 personal wishes since 1980.

Make-A-Wish Foundation Philippines, has granted the wish of hundreds of Filipinos since it was established in the country in 2001.

During his “tour of duty” in the PNP in 2003, Jam-Jam had the experience to backride on a police motorcycle, join a visibility patrol on board a squad car, and sit at the controls of the police communication network in Camp Crame.

“The wish of Joe Allan to become a policeman is altogether touching, meaningful and inspiring for all of us in the PNP,” PNP Spokesman, Senior Superintendent Samuel D Pagdilao Jr. said.

“The PNP welcomes the privilege of having touched the life of a child, just as he had touched ours,” Pagdilao said.

Joe Allan will be laid to rest in Paete, Laguna on Sunday, October 15.