115 cops in Soccsksargen recognized for May 14 polls service

GENERAL SANTOS CITY--The Police Regional Office 12 (Soccsksargen) on Monday recognized 115 police personnel for services rendered during the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections and other accomplishments.

Supt. Aldrin Gonzales, PRO-12 public information officer, said Tuesday 109 police officers received the Medalya ng Papuri or the Philippine National Police (PNP) commendation medals for serving as members of the board of election tellers during the polls.

He said all awardees hold the rank of Police Officer (PO) 1 and are currently undergoing a basic internal security operation course at the Regional Special Training Unit of PRO-12.

They were deployed as election tellers in various precincts in North Cotabato after the assigned teachers withdrew due to security concerns, he said in a statement.

Gonzales said Senior Insp. John Minidel Calinga of the Cotabato City Police was awarded the Medalya ng Kasanayan, or PNP efficiency medal, for serving as chair of the barangay board of canvassers.

He said five members of PRO-12’s regional police drug enforcement unit received the Medalya ng Kagalingan, or PNP merit medal, for accomplishments in the continuing war against illegal drugs in the region.

Awarded were its deputy chief, Senior Insp. Brent Ian S. Salazar, PO2 Jeffrey Pabellaran, PO2 Rolly Jacobo Jr., PO2 Edwin Villa Agustin Jr., and PO1 James Grigori Remorin.

Gonzales said the five police officers were feted for “meritorious acts” displayed during the implementation of search warrants that led to the neutralization and arrest of suspected drug personalities.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, Soccsksargen Police director, lauded the 115 police officers for rendering efficient services in their respective assignments.

“The giving of awards to our men and women in uniform is a way of recognizing their efforts and hard work in the field,” said Morales, who led the awarding ceremony at the PRO-12 headquarters in Barangay Tambler. He specifically cited the 110 personnel who made sure that the Barangay and SK elections would proceed as scheduled.

Citing an assessment from the regional office of the Commission on Elections, he said for the first time, there was no failure of election in any precinct in the entire region.

“It was the result of collaborative efforts of participating law enforcement agencies, especially in preparations leading to the elections,” Morales added. (PNA)