PNP chief awards 8 PRO-7 cops

CEBU, Philippines - Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima visited Police Regional Office-7 yesterday and personally lauded the policemen for performing well during the recent calamities that hit Central Visayas.

Purisima also commended and personally pinned the medals on eight policemen for their accomplishments in anti-criminality operations.

"I would like to congratulate the men and women of PRO-7 for a job well done sa calamity sa Bohol and sa Tacloban. That is the main reason na pumunta ako dito, and part of the visit is to also make our presence felt by praising them, by giving them appropriate rewards and commendation sa kanila," he said.

Purisima, in a brief ceremony, awarded the medals to the eight police awardees.

PNP Medal of Merit were given to Supt. Alex Virtucio, director of Negros Provincial Police Office, his subordinates, Insp. Fortunato Villafuerte and PO1 Albert Jucom for the arrest of a robbery suspect in Dumaguete City last August 24.

The policemen seized from the suspect, Jesuslou Algeria, firearms, explosives, and an estimated P5 million worth of jewelry that his group reportedly robbed.

The same medal were also awarded to Supt. Rex Derilo and his personnel, PO3 Caesar Pandong, both of the Regional Intelligence Division for the arrest of an illegal gun spare parts trader in Barangay Suba, Danao City last August 11.

 The suspect, Manuel Tuñacao, was sized with a lathe machines, metal grinder, two sacks of assorted metal tools and numerous gun parts of assorted calibers.

The PNP Commendation Medal was awarded to Insp. James Conaco, the former chief of Alcantara Police Station in Cebu, and his men, SPO2 Meliton Agadier and PO2 Pepo Ansag for a consummated anti-drug operation in the town of Ronda last July 5.

The Alcantara Police arrested Lolita Fuentes and her son Rolito Fuentes and neutralized of Joseph Fuentes, who was wounded during a shootout with the police who came to serve a search warrant of arrest against the suspects. At least 34 shabu packs, a gun, and a hand grenade were seized by the police.

 Purisima praised not just the police awardees, but also the rest of the workforce that worked well especially in the aftermath of last October 15's earthquake and last November 8's super typhoon Yolanda.

"Maraming mga pulis na nagsisikap na gawin ang kanilang makakaya, extending their work sa mga kailangan nilang gawin," the PNP chief further said.

The PNP Chief further lauded PRO-7 for implementing well their national program, the Police Integrated Patrol System.

 "Tinitingnan natin ang result sa kanilang operation, maganda naman ang performance ng PRO-7," he said.

The awardees expressed thanks to their superiors, saying that they are only doing their job and that they will perform even better.  (FREEMAN)