The present seat of Police Regional Office 5 is in Legazpi City, which is found in the Province of Albay in the Bicol Region. The place is famous worldwide for its nearly perfect cone, Mayon Volcano. The different offices of PRO5 are housed inside a camp called Camp General Simeon A. Ola. The name of this camp evolved from what was known before as Reagan Barracks during the occupation of the US pacification forces in the early 1900s. From that name, it was changed by the Americans to Cerro Gordo in 1945. The people, however, preferred to call it by its former name. The foreign-sounding names by which the camp was called was changed to Filipino, when the joint Philippine Constabulary and Integrated National Police (PC/INP) made the camp as the headquarters of the PC/INP Regional Command 5 in 1978.

In 1978, the PC/INP leadership worked for the renaming of the camp to Camp Bagong Ibalon, in honor of Ibalong, a Bicol legendary hero. The camp retained its name until 1991, when it was renamed Camp General Simeon A. Ola. General Ola was a famous Bicolano warrior during the later part of the Fil-Spanish Revolution and Fil-American War, and said to be the last Filipino general to surrender to the Americans. General Ola hailed from Guinobatan, Albay. It was particularly the people of Guinobatan who clamored that the memory of the great general be relived and immortalized. Hence, the renaming of the camp to General Simeon A, Ola. During that time, the PC/INP has been dissolved and a new organization replaced it, the present Philippine National Police or PNP. For a while, Camp Ola has been known as a mere police camp, where the policemen are holding office, where only selected civilians can enter.

The civilians entertain alienation, if not fear, upon hearing the word "camp". People perceive a camp as a military enclosure, where strict discipline, tiger-looking uniformed personnel are ordinary sights, and at times, tortures
and unreasonable physical and mental restraints are carried on. As a result, the expected effective police and civilian partnership towards the attainment of peace and order is hardly attained.

A very effective measure was conceptualized to entice civilians to come and visit the camp. A program initiated by PCSUPT MARCELO ENRIQUEZ NAVARRO JR during his incumbency which transformed Camp Ola from an ordinary police encampment to a culture and heritage park, was implemented, which not only categorized the camp as a tourist spot in the Bicol region, but more importantly, erased the people's undesirable perception and apathy to the police organization. Camp Ola is now considered "Kampo ng Bayan, "a camp for the Bicolanos, whom PRO5 directly serve and protect.

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In carrying out the program, various physical structures and developments were made inside Camp Ola. Monuments, parks and markers were put up in honor of Bicolanos, dead and living, even legendary and mythical. Each corner of the grounds of Camp Ola is given a nomenclature for the personality or subject to be depicted.

“Lasar Arch” is the only way in and out to Camp Ola, a landmark constructed on August 2, 2004 thru the initiative and during the incumbency of PCSUPT JAIME LACSI LASAR, the first Bicolano PNP Regional Director and the author of the famous lines engraved on the façade of the arch: “In the performance of your duty: Know your job; do your job; and, and do it well!”

The most prominent among these structures is the General Simeon Ola Monument, which is built conspicuously near the gate. General Ola is depicted as a horse-riding general. The statue is mounted on rocks in the middle of a lagoon.

As one goes his way inside camp, he will pass by a corner called “Daragang Magayon Garden”. “Daragang Magayon” are Bicol terms meaning beautiful maiden. According to the Bicol folklore, Mayon Volcano is the deathbed of a love-stricken beautiful maiden, Daragang Magayon. The garden boasts of its variety of plants, a mini waterfall, a lagoon and a statue of a naked maiden supposedly “Daragang Magayon,” seated by the lagoon.

Fronting the “Daragang Magayon Garden” is the “Relics Point”, an exhibit area for unoperational military and police vehicles and equipment. Vintage canyons and armament are put on display to emphasize the significance of Camp Ola as a former military camp.

As a tribute and sign of respect to the fallen personnel of PRO5, both uniformed and non-uniformed, the “Claire Domingo Memorial Garden” is an added attraction. “ Claire Domingo” is an alias used by a former rebel and whose true name is Beverly Marmol who returned to the folds of law.

After surrendering to the PNP in region 5 in 1991, she was used in the PNP’s unification efforts which successfully resulted to the surrender of many of her former comrades. She met her untimely death in the hands of the dissident terrorists while performing her duty as anchorwoman of PNP-sponsored radio program. Put on display in this garden are sculptured stones depicting figures of mother and child and apparently a grieving widow.

Few meters away is another spot called “Ibalong Heroes Court.” “Ibalong” is a great Bicolano epic which portrays the gallantry of three warriors, namely: Baltog, Handiong, and Bantong. The place serves as a memorial area for great Bicolano leaders who have excelled in their field of profession.

Not to be forgotten in featuring the various aspects of the Bicolano culture are the pili nut and the “sili”, with which the Bicolano are identified. The pili nut is the fruit of the pili tree which abundantly grow in many parts of the region. Pili nuts are used in making sweets and delicacies, which are of import quality. One’s visit in Legazpi or any part of Bicol is not complete without having pili nut delicacies as “pasalubong”.

On the other hand, “sili” is a spicy condiment used in many of the Bicol recipes, notable of which is the Bicol express. Perhaps, it’s the Bicolanos fondness of spicy foods that they are branded as “hot”.

Big replicas of pili nut and sili are strategically placed in one side of the parade ground, in such a way that everybody who enters the camp can easily identify that he is in the land of sweets and spices.

For peace-loving individuals, the “Peace Park/Garden” is the best place to frolic around. A mini pool is being constructed, where anybody can relax and enjoy the day while watching the majestic view of Mayon Volcano.

The tour of the camp will not be complete without visiting the “Potenciano Gregorio Garden” just beside, and a few meters away from the General Ola’s Monument. Potenciano Gregorio was a Philippine Constabulary Band member who composed the famous “Sarung Banggui,” a Bicol song. His sculptured bust relief was erected in the garden, with a marker depicting his contributions to the Bicol culture and heritage. A low-level stage was built in the park, which is an appropriate place for cultural shows and other presentations.

Adjacent to Gen Ola’s monument is the “Rock Pole”, a flag pole which has an elevation of 104 feet and 11 inches above ground level, one (1) inch shorter than the tallest flag pole in the Philippines at Luneta Park. A project initiated by PCSUPT RODOLFO “Rock” TOR on March 2003.

At the back portion of the camp, a nursery was put up where varieties of plants are being cultured and cultivated. It provides an abundant supply of plants for the parks and garden in Camp Ola.

All around the camp, particularly at the parade ground, fronting the administration building, are flower-bearing and other ornamental plants and big trees, some of which were planted by distinguished visitors and guests who have visited Camp Ola during tree-planting activities.

 

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The program was mainly to create a feeling of oneness   with the police, acceptance by, and   access to the   camp facilities and services by the community. With that primordial motive, other components in Camp Ola which offer different services were established.

Sports-loving individuals will find a grand time playing in the camp’s tennis and basketball courts, or do body-building activities in the gym. The parade ground which is mainly used for formal and ceremonial occasions also serve as open field for other sports, and as a children’s playground.

Not to be neglected in conceptualizing these projects is the religious aspect of man’s existence. Hence, an “Adoration Chapel” was built beside the camp chapel, to answer the religious needs, not only of PNP personnel and employees of PRO5, but also the community living within, and adjacent to Camp Ola. The chapel is a perfect place for those who want to commune with God.

Above all, a one-room structure was built just at the back of the Adoration Chapel, which doubly serves as a “Children’s Library and Classroom” for preparatory and kindergarten schools. Starting SY 2000-2001 the school accepted children aged 3-4 and 5-6 years old, respectively, for the formal classroom instruction. Enrollees are not only PNP and NUP dependents but include children of civilians living in the vicinity of the Camp. The library, on the other hand, has different reading materials books and magazines appropriate for children.

 

As a sign of public acceptance and recognition, some civilian groups have held their activities and gatherings in camp. Several others have sent their requests for the use of the camp’s beautiful spots and parks during their activities in the future.

While some sectors may express disagreement on the present project citing security reasons, PRO5 is not discouraged anyway. The police is confident of   the capability   of its men to handle the security of the camp, its personnel, guests and visitors. Moreover, the project will bring out a closer police and community    tie up. With   that, the   police   has   found a very supportive and cooperative ally: the civilians, who will  police themselves, who will support the PNP in the enforcement of laws, maintenance of peace and order and ensuring public safety and security.

The PNP leadership has envisioned a PNP in the Bicol Region that is not only the protector of lives and properties, but policemen who are imbued with desirable socio-cultural values and civic consciousness. They are not only in charge of the peace and order in the community, but must also be partners of concerned agencies in the promotion of tourism and environmental protection in the Bicol region.

PRO5 invites everyone to visit and see Camp Ola, a heritage park, A Kampo ng Bayan.

 

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