I am Jun Borromeo, fondly called Borro by friends. I graduated from PMA in 1989 and joined the defunct Philippine Constabulary right after. I was very active in our campaign against insurgency. I earned numerous military medals and commendations. I was meritoriously promoted on the spot twice. In 2004, I was awarded as one of the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in the Service (COPS) given by Metrobank Foundation and bagged the PMA Cavalier Award for Police Efficiency, the highest individual award given by PMA to its PNP alumni in 2005.
I have been assigned to various positions and experienced the perks and privileges of being in position. I have experienced many trials but during those times, I did not come to know God. I prioritized my career more than my family. I thought that a successful career in the PNP can only be achieved through good service, reputation and connections. Power and position were my basis for security.
I am Joji Borromeo. At present, I am a municipal councilor. I have been in public service for almost 25 years. I was a devoted Catholic and devotee of the Virgin Mary. I attended novenas at Baclaran every first Wednesday until I came to know who my real God is.
I experienced my greatest trial in July 2008. I was charged as a an illegal drug laboratory protector in La Union. As a result, I was relieved of my position as Dagupan City Police Station’s Chief of Police and transferred to Camp Crame. I was suspended from my post for three months. I was humiliated both in print and broadcast media. I was rejected by some of my friends. No one comforted me except for my wife, children and mistahs. I contemplated committing suicide. I was full of anxiety, fear, and pain. I took antidepressants so I can sleep. I lost a lot of weight.
This trial came at the time when my father suffered a mild stroke. I was then six months pregnant with our youngest child. This was a big blow to our family. This is when Jun needed me the most. I tried my best but I really did not know how to his pain. I prayed hard. I called my Christian friend and asked for a pastor’s phone number.
In August 18, 2008, I was convinced that the only solution to my problem was suicide. My wife called me on my cellphone just as I was looking for a place to end my life . She told me that suicide was a display of selfishness. She told me to pray to God. That was the only time that I thought of God so I asked her if she knew someone who knew God. She immediately texted me the cellphone number of a pastor.
I told the pastor about my problem and he answered by telling me of God’s greatness. He said that God would never let me down. I could always count on His faithfulness. Then he shared to me the good news of salvation. Before the end of our conversation, he asked if I was ready to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ through the telephone. While we were praying, I cried uncontrollably and strongly felt the presence of God in my room. A peace that I could not explain and understand came over me. The burden in my chest disappeared. That was my first personal encounter with God.
My anxiety, fear, and depression vanished. I was back to normal. I slept soundly without taking antidepressants. My appetite for food was restored. I started to attend Bible study and Sunday worship service regularly. I spent most of my time reading the Bible and Christian books. I learned to pray to God every day. I wanted to know God personally.
In November 2008, the case against me was dismissed by the DOJ but I know that it was not the end of our trials.
I really praise God that Jun was enlightened by the talk he had with the pastor but we still had to face the charges against him. One day, he told me that he started attending Sunday services at a Born Again church. I wasn’t really sold on the idea. My husband did not share the gospel to me for fear of rejection but I noticed a dramatic transformation in his life. He and my Christian friends stormed the heavens with prayers for me. One day, I started asking my husband about God’s Word. On January 11, 2009, I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord.
Our children initially did not like to be Christians. But after attending a youth retreat conducted by CCF, they became active JZone members. My eldest son Darwin conducts a bible study and has shared the gospel with his cousins. Our daughter is now a youth camp facilitator. Our third son is now boldly sharing the gospel in his school. Our three-year-old baby Danielle has been dedicated to the Lord.
On February 2009, the case against me was refiled due to religious and political pressure. In May 23, 2009, a warrant of arrest was issued against me. My wife and I prayed hard to God. God whispered to me that I must submit to authority and face the problem. We meditated on 2 Chronicles 20:15′s verse. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
In May 25, 2009, I surrendered to the PNP and got detained at Camp Crame Detention Center. We filed a motion requesting that I in Camp Crame’s custody. Again, my wife and our prayer warriors prayed hard for it. But after two days, I was ordered to be transferred to the La Union Provincial Jail. I was very frustrated and began to question God.
God had a plan for me. He placed me in a building where I could have quiet times with Him. I had access to the television, DVD player, cellphone, and laptop computer. I was allowed to receive visitors any time of the day. I had all the time to study the Bible, watch Pastor Peter Tanchi’s sermons on DVDs, study Christian books and pray. I found out that the greatest form of worship is total surrender to God’s will.
I thank God that He gave our children the wisdom and strength to accept the painful reality of my husband’s situation. We went to La Union Provincial Jail every weekend to keep Jun company.
After two months, God gave me a small ministry. I organized prayer meetings, daily Bible studies, and Sunday worship services. I was joined by 12 female inmates. All of them surrendered their lives to Jesus. I also began sharing the gospel to the jail guards, warden, other male inmates and visitors. Many came to know Jesus and surrendered their lives to Him. God has a greater purpose in allowing me to spend my time in that particular jail.
The detention cell has become our second home and the inmates became our Christian family. We thank God that He brought Jun there so he can know Him more and share His gospel to others.
God used my wife and I to minister to our extended family. Aside from my three children who surrendered their lives to Jesus, my wife has also begun to lead a Bible study in our house in Isabela and many of her relatives came to know Jesus.
My father and mother have accepted Jesus. My siblings and their families have also joined us in bible studies. Some of them were even baptized!
I developed a passion for evangelism and I spent time getting to know God more. Even while I was incarcerated, God used that time for good (Romans 8:28).
When I surrendered my case to the Lord, I saw how He was working behind the scenes. I developed perseverance (James 1:3). I also learned to forgive the people who were behind my misery. I know that in God’s perfect timing, I will gain my physical freedom. I always meditate on Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
As a result of my imprisonment. I had no income. We depended solely on my wife’s income and from the financial assistance of my PMA classmates. Truly, God provides for all our needs. We claim the promise of God in Philippians 4:19, ”But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
By God’s grace, our children continued their studies. Truly, if we obey god, he will never abandon us. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Last February 01, 2011 at 10 o’clock in the morning, I received a call from my wife. Our prayers were answered. Our petition for bail was granted. We were crying and dancing for joy. God does work in mysterious ways. But my happiness was hampered when I learned that my bail was one million pesos. We were instructed by my lawyer to produce the amount before 1 o’clock in the afternoon. Then I told God, “If you really want me to be free, You will provide. You know that it is impossible for me to produce that amount.”
At exactly 1 o’clock in the afternoon., God provided the exact amount for my bail. My PMA classmates learned about my predicament and immediately pitched in to raise the said amount. God is amazing! Our total dependence in Him paid off. Last February 4 2011, I was ordered to report back for duty. God immediately restored my status in the PNP.
Although my husband only has temporary liberty, I can truly say that he is more free because he is now a child of God. He now has the freedom to boldly share the gospel. Our family is complete because God is at the center of our relationships. Our disappointments were turned into blessings.
I am a man with temporary liberty. But God gave me freedom to be of service to Him. I told my God to use me according to His plans. To my Creator, I give back all the glory and honor!
I learned that a Christian life is not a problem-free life. We have to carry our crosses if we decide to follow Jesus.
PSupt Dionicio C. Borromeo is presently assigned at Police Regional Office 4A (CALABARZON) at Camp Vicente Lim, Canlubang, Calamba Laguna. He is one of the active members of the C.O.R.P.S. (Christian Officers for Reform the Police Service) movement foundation. In CCF he is under the Pastoral Care of Pastor Robby Santos. He just graduated from GLC level2 and is in charge of the nationwide showing of the film COURAGEOUS in coordination with Pastor Joby Soriano of CCF Alabang. He has also organized 3 Bible study groups in Camp Crame, Jail Ministry in PNP Detention Center and is leading a house church in Ilagan, Isabela.
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