"I congratulate this year’s 10 COPS awardees. Individually and collectively, you have proven that we have succeeded in professionalizing the PNP," the President said in a written message.
She said the recognition of the 10 police officers should serve to "inspire the entire police force to continue with their exemplary deeds, ever aware that gallantry, professionalism, integrity and commitment to service are essential to ensure public safety and peace and order in our communities."
The awards are spearheaded by the Metrobank Foundation Inc. and Rotary Club of New Manila East. The awarding ceremonies were held at Malacañang with Mrs. Arroyo handing out trophies and cash incentives of P150,000 each to the COPS awardees.
The winners under the commissioned officers category were Police Superintendents Policarpio Cayabyab Jr., chief of police of the Calasiao Police Station in Pangasinan; Tomasito Clet, chief of police of Iriga City Police Station in Iriga City, Camarines Sur; Felicidad Gido, Police Station II commander in Galas, Quezon City; and Edgar Iglesia, chief of Intelligence, Research and Analysis Division, Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response in Camp Crame.
The COPS awardees in the non-commissioned officers category were SPO4 Mercedes Garcia, deputy chief, Police Community Relations Branch, Baguio City Police Office; PO3 Tejanne Zarzoso, Women and Children’s Desk, Cabadbaran Municipal Police Station in Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office; SPO1 Recto Valeriano of the Police Community Relation, 509th Police Provincial Mobile Group in Bulan, Sorsogon.
SPO3 Nestor Kahano, Special Operation Section, Office of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division, Police Regional Office 8 in Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte; PO2 Rodel Javison, Investigation and Police Community Relations Office, Police Regional Office 12 in General Santos City Police Office; and PO3 Rosalie Somblingo, Women and Children Concern Desk, Police Precinct 5, General Santos City Police Office.