BREAKING GROUND. Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., is shown with Quezon Rep. David Suarez’s representative, Kenee Soler, at the groundbreaking rites for the new Candelaria municipal police station on Tuesday (March 21, 2023). The soon-to-rise building will be funded by the PNP national office in the amount of PHP17.9 million. (Photo courtesy of Rep. David Suarez’s District Office)
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – A new municipal police station will soon rise in Candelaria, Quezon and is seen to provide the government security forces with a comfortable working environment that will redound to leveled up services to the community.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Tuesday afternoon graced the ceremonial groundbreaking and lowering of time capsule for the building.
The local government of Candelaria donated the 1,000-square meter lot in Barangay Malabanban Sur in August 2021 for the new Candelaria Municipal Police Station (MPS) building with a total fund of PHP17.9 million from the PNP national office.
“Having a new police station reflects the flexible and progressive capacity of the PNP and our men and women in Candelaria, Quezon are testament to effective and harmonious relationship with the local government and the populace to maintain a peaceful and flourishing community,” Azurin said in a report.
For his part, PNP-Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) regional director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. thanked all the government officials who were instrumental in the realization of the soon-to-rise PNP building.
“This new infrastructure will provide a comfortable and safe working environment for our 66 personnel, ensuring that they can carry out their duties to the best of their abilities, to cater to the needs of the people in the communities of Candelaria,” Nartatez said.
Also present at the event were Candelaria Mayor George Suayan, Vice Mayor Macario Boongaling, Kenee Soler and members of the Quezon Police Provincial Office under Col. Ledon Monte.
More surprise inspections
Meanwhile in Camp Efigenio Navarro in Calapan City, the Police Regional Office-Mimaropa (PRO-4B) welcomed Brig. Gen. Joel Bargamento Doria as its new and 18th regional director, who vowed to serve with "honesty, honor and integrity".
In his speech during the turnover ceremony at this camp on Tuesday, Doria said: “I am directing all unit commanders in the region to personally conduct surprise inspections within their respective areas of responsibilities to regularly assess the operational readiness of our forces on the ground. Dapat ang ating mga pulis ay nakikita at ramdam sa buong Mimaropa. Mabilis umaksyon, Madaling hanapin, Madaling puntahan (Our police personnel must be seen and felt in the whole Mimaropa. Fast to act, visible and approachable).”
In an interview on Wednesday, Capt. Clyde Kalyawen, PRO-4B information officer, said Gen. Sidney Hernia turned over the directorship in the ceremony presided over by Lt. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, Area Police Command-Southern Luzon commander.
Hernia is now the director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group, the position formerly held by Doria.
The new PRO-4B chief also committed to continuing his predecessor's low-key but stern kind of leadership with emphasis on strict discipline, reform and internal cleansing, intensified campaign against criminality, insurgency and illegal drugs as well as practical programs towards strengthening public engagement through the peace and security framework MKK=K (Malasakit, Kaayusan, Kapayapaan=Kaunlaran).
He assured the strict implementation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government's BIDA or “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” program through a multi-sectoral and human rights-based approach in the region.
Doria also vowed to maintain the PNP’s vigor and enthusiasm in its campaign against insurgency in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and various clusters under the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). (PNA)
