Crame security tightened as PNP turns 15 today

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is expected to tighten security today within and around the vicinity of Camp Crame in Quezon City as the 115,000-strong police force celebrates its 15th anniversary with President Arroyo as guest of honor.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil said arrangements for Mrs. Arroyo’s security will be supervised by the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in coordination with the PNP Base Police, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), which has jurisdiction over the area.

During the celebration, Mrs. Arroyo — assisted by PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao — will award outstanding individuals and groups for their valuable contribution to the PNP’s mandate of keeping the country safe. The Manila Police District, under Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong, was judged the best district in Metro Manila.

"Our theme is ‘Transforming the PNP for a Stronger Republic.’ This will be very simple, austere but meaningful one," said Bataoil, referring to today’s celebration that coincides with the usual Monday flag-raising ceremony.

Lomibao went around Camp Crame yesterday for one last round of inspection just as PNP personnel prepared the grounds for the anniversary celebration. He assured Filipinos that the PNP will double its effort to ensure a peaceful and orderly environment and the safety of the general public.

Bataoil said the PNP spent much less for this year’s anniversary celebration compared to the past years. He did not release any figures.

The highlight of this year’s celebration will be the awarding of outstanding individuals and the blessing of new condominium units, the Bantayog ng Kagitingan, and the museum inside the camp.

"We want to recognize our policemen, who continue to offer their lives so that others may live," Bataoil pointed out.

He said the PNP working committee uses a set of standards to validate the ratings of candidates for outstanding individuals and groups from all over the country.

"One of the bases is the annual general inspection conducted by Internal Affairs Office. Operational and administrative accomplishments are rated, background check, and survey on the community perception of the unit," Bataoil said.

Among the individual awardees are Senior Superintendent Isagani Cuevas of Western Visayas as best senior police commissioned officer or PCO for administration; Superintendent Ronilo Quebrar of Western Visayas as best senior PCO for operations; Chief Inspector Jacinto Gagaza Jr., of Ilocos as best junior PCO; SPO3 Nestor Kahano of Eastern Visayas as best senior police non-commissioned officer or PNCO; PO3 Efren Salazar of Region 12 as best junior PNCO and Imelda Pacua of Cagayan Valley and Mary Ann Tiukinhoy of the Directorate for Operations as best non-uniformed personnel.

Civilian individual awardees for today’s celebration are Civil Service Commissioner Jose Waldemar Valmores; Kapangan, Benguet Mayor Rogelio Polon Leon and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Aside from the Manila Police District, other unit awardees are Computer Service; Criminal Investigation and Detection Group; Police Regional Office in Cordillera; Benguet Provincial Police Office; Davao City Police Office, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office; Lazi Municipal Police Station; Regional Mobile Group in Cagayan Valley; 1415th Provincial Mobile Group; Women and Children Protection Division in Passi and Bansalan and Parañaque City Police Station.

Non-government organization awardees were MFLM Madrigal Foundation Inc., Mt. Zion Christian Ministry, Metro East Coordinating Council for Peace and Security, Iloilo Juvenile Welfare Association, Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Firefighters of the Philippines and Sulu Peacekeepers Multi-Purpose Cooperative.