By Jennifer P. Rendon
Police officers who gave exemplary performance were honored during the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6)’s celebration of the 30th PNP Foundation Day on Monday.
Attorney Joseph Celis, National Police Commission 6 (Napolcom-6) Regional Director, led the giving of awards to the honorees from all over the region.
Celis, together with PRO-6 Deputy Regional Director for Administration Brigadier General Patrick Villacorte, bestowed the Medalya ng Kagalingan to Lieutenant Colonel Nazer Canja, Staff Sergeant John Daniel Gotera, and Corporal Eric Lopez Mariquit of Toboso Municipal Police Station in Negros Occidental for the arrest of a wanted person.
They were instrumental in apprehending Roberto Pandacan, who was wanted for murder and frustrated murder, on January 14, 2021 at Barangay San Isidro, Toboso.
The same award was also given to Police Major Rene Obregon Jr., Executive Master Sergeant Rex Tabuada, and Staff Sergeant Jan Mikel Mahometano of the Iloilo City Police Office for their anti-illegal gambling operation that led to the arrest of Melbert Ariete and 31 others.
The 32 suspects were arrested in a billiard joint at Barangay Burgos, La Paz, Iloilo City on January 15.
The operating teams were able to recover bet money amounting to PHP336, 216 and billiard accessories.
Also honored were Police Captain Paul Vincent Pendon, Staff Sergeant Frederick Fronda, and Corporal Jessmar Iwarata of the Bacolod City Drug Enforcement Unit after they conducted an anti-narcotics operation against Robert Colinco and Richard Briones on December 11, 2020 at Purok Pepsi, Zone 3, Barangay Bata, Bacolod City.
They were able to recover 8 sachets of suspected shabu, the PHP500 buy bust money, and a caliber .22 revolver from the suspect.
Meanwhile, members of Oton Police Station led by Lieutenant Larry John Vidal, Staff Sergeant Junest Suatin and Corporal Arjerey Valencia were also feted for the arrest of Elmer Niquia.
The team seized shabu weighing 199.734 grams, PHP20,000 buy-bust money, and other drug paraphernalia during the operation on January 21, at Botda Village in Barangay Buray, Oton.
Before the ceremony, there was also a wreath laying in honor of fallen heroes at the PRO-6 Heroes Wall.
Celiz has acknowledged the awardees for risking their lives in the performance of their duties and functions as police officers.
He also reminded the personnel to never forget the value of integrity and honor.
“Serve the people with heart, never be tempted by material things,” Celis said.
This year’s PNP Foundation Day theme is, “PNP @30 Kakampi mo Laban sa Pandemya, Iligal na Droga, Kurapsyon at Terorismo.”
