Purisima awards 18 exemplary CV cops

CEBU, Philippines - Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima yesterday awarded various medals to 18 police officers during his visit to the Police Regional Office-7  yesterday.

Among those who were recognized were Bohol Provincial Police Office Director Dennis Agustin, Senior Inspector Jodel Torregosa, Police Officer 3 Nilo Hinay, and PO1 Gerardo Turan.

Each of them received a "Medalya ng Kagalingan" (PNP Merit Medal) after they successfully intercepted the group of former police officer Owen Rosales that resulted to his death and that of five others and arrest of four more.

Rosales was the prime suspect in the ambush and killing of Ubay, Bohol Police Station chief George Caña.

Superintendent Crisaleo Tolentino; Senior Inspector Jimmy Fortes; PO3 Carlos Zapanta Jr.; and PO1 Allan Bacus of Mandaue City Police Office received the "Medalya ng Kagalingan"  after they arrested the husband of Imelda Tio, Sun Gold Marketing Corporation manager tagged as the mastermind behind her death.

Superintendent Rodolfo Albotra Jr., Senior Inspector Armando Labora, SPO4 Jaime Otadoy, PO3 Roderick Balili of the Cebu Provincial Police Office-Provincial Intelligence Branch received the same award after they arrested Noel Codeniera last August 25 and confiscated shabu worth P2 million.

The same medal was likewise given to Senior Inspector Randy Caballes, PO3 Albert Luardo, PO3 Roy Veloso and PO3 Esmeraldo Quillosa of the Regional Intelligence Division after they arrested Primo Cabañero and killed a druglord in Ubay, Bohol whom authorities tagged as suspect in an unsolved drug-related killing.

Senior Police Officer 1 Jennifer Atanacio of the Bohol Provincial Police Office-Police Community Relations received the "Medalya ng Papuri" (PNP Commendation Medal) after she returned P100, 000 that the Armed Forces & Police Savings & Loans Association Inc.-Tagbilaran Extension Office erroneously released to her.  Atanacio was described as "epitome of value-oriented police personnel" who showed "utmost integrity."

The same award was given to PO1 Mark Wilson Roa, a trainee under the Field Training Program, who assisted a senior citizen change his flat tire even if Roa was off duty.

In his speech, Purisima lauded the police officers who were given an award, saying they were "the epitome of what gallant and dedicated police officers should be."

"I would also take the opportunity to congratulate our police personnel who were given due recognition today, for exemplifying the virtues that we uphold as public servants," Purisima said.

"May your courage, loyalty and dedication inspire other members of the police force to be in the best that they can be in the performance of their mandated duties," he added.

Towards the end of his speech, he said "Ipagpatuloy natin ang paghahandog ng serbisyong makatotohanan sa sambayanan (Let us continue to give genuine service to the people). To the men and women of PRO7 carry on, Mabuhay kayo." — (FREEMAN)