Mayor Sara credits 'best police' feat to DCPO personnel

DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Sara Z. Duterte said personnel of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) should take the credit for being adjudged as last year's best police office in the country for their collective effort in keeping the city "safe and secure."

“As mayor, sa term nga nidaog sila as best city police (With the DCPO winning as best city police), I am truly happy and I am happy for them also. We are truly proud of their achievement,” Mayor Sara said in a statement released Friday.

She cited the 28.44 percent decrease in the 2017 crime volume compared to the 2016 data and the apprehension of the Maute patriarch, Cayamora Maute, as two of the major accomplishments of the DCPO.

The award was received by Davao City Chief of Police Senior Supt. Alexander Tagum from President Rodrigo Duterte and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde during the PNP's 117th anniversary. DCPO also garnered the same honor in 2016.

The award, Tagum said, means more "responsibilities to ensure a secure and peaceful Davao City." He also attributed the award to the hard work of the men and women comprising the DCPO, as well as to the "strong support of the city government."

“This means additional responsibility for the men and women of DCPO to be the exemplary police of the whole police organization,” the police official said.

Tagum earlier said the recognition did not come easy as it required the full cooperation and support of everybody, "both in operational and administrative aspects." (PNA)