MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 9, 2014) – President Benigno Aquino on Friday led the celebration of the 113th Police Service Anniversary at the Philippine National Police Headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Aquino also recognized several policemen and PNP Units for their outstanding achievements. He commended the Zamboanga City Public Safety Company for being the first unit to respond during the Zamboanga City siege in September last year, as well as Superintendent Lambert Suerte, of the Benguet Provincial Public Safety Company, for seizing the largest camp of the New People’s Army in the Cordillera and capturing the group’s leader in 2013.
Interior Secretary Mar Roxas accompanied Aquino, who cited the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, headed by Director Benjamin Magalong, for apprehending 3,453 fugitives, including 22 most wanted criminals in the country, last year.
Aquino also recognized the achievement of Senior Police Officer 1 Dominador Canlas, who saved three children during an operation against the NPA in Tarlac province.
Other awardees included PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Felipe Rojas Jr., Chief Inspector Juanito Gaces Jr., Police Officer 2 Crissandra Aggabao, Police Regional Office 9, Anti-Cybercrime Group, Crime Laboratory and Cagayan Police Provincial Office, Abra Police Provincial Office, President Roxas Municipal Police Station, and the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force.
“Ilan lamang sila sa magigiting nating pulis na kinikilala natin sa araw na ito. Sinasalamin nila ang malasakit at propesyunalismo ng iba pa nating kapulisan na talaga naman pong nagpakitang-gilas sa serbisyo,” Aquino said.
“Bilang mga alagad ng batas, malinaw ang inyong responsibilidad: Ang ipagtanggol ang ating mga kababayan at maipadama sa mga kriminal na hindi nila matatakasan ang katarungan; na sa oras na makalap natin ang sapat na ebidensya, sa oras na mahuli natin sila sa akto, mararamdaman nila ang lakas ng estado,” he said.
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