LEGAZPI CITY, Sept. 9 (PNA) -– The Philippine National Police (PNP) Bicol office based at Camp Gen. Simeon Ola here has been commended for its outstanding performance in the nationwide campaign to arrest most wanted persons.
It placed second among the 17 police regional offices in the country in the implementation of “Operation Manhunt Charlie,” the PNP campaign to haul to jail wanted criminals.
The award of commendation coming from PNP Chief, Director Geneneral Alan Purisima, was received last Monday by the police Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD) for Bicol headed by Supt. Oscar Regala.
Regional police director Chief Supt. Victor Deona told the Philippine News Agency here that the RIDMD was awarded for its remarkable achievements and noteworthy contribution in the campaign of the PNP against wanted persons in line with “Manhunt Charlie” that saw the arrest of 115 Bicol’s most wanted persons for the first quarter of this year alone.
The award came in connection with the ongoing celebration of the 20th National Crime Prevention Week, with this year’s theme “Nagkakaisang Bayan para sa Kapayapan” highlighting the common and shared responsibility peace keeping by the law enforcers, people in our government, peace advocates and practically every citizen of the country, Deona said.
In his message for the celebration, which was read by police regional Community Relations Division chief, Supt. Jesus Martinez, Purisima said “harnessing a culture of peace in a country that fosters non-violence, respect for fundamental rights and freedom, understanding the solidarity — thus, maintaining peace and order — is necessary as it will serve as the pillar of an empowered nation.”
“As the primary law enforcement agency, the PNP always puts efforts with “Serbisyong Makatotohanan” in intensifying our anti-criminality drive and continuous peace and order advocacies,” the Chief PNP said in his message.
It is the intensified anti-criminality drive and various peacekeeping efforts that the PNP contributes, not to mention the indispensable importance of community participation in everything that it does, he continued.
“In celebrating the national Peace Consciousness Month, I do hope that the true essence of peace will be recognized by everyone, not only during this month but also every single day,” Purisima added.
In addressing his unit during the same occasion, Deona said “we have made significant headway on matters concerning peacekeeping thrust, let us continue highlighting issues and concerns on how to maintain a peaceful and orderly community by making our fellowmen more aware and informed through our various programs and activities.”
“May this occasion pave the way for sustained unity as we pursue genuine peace and progress where everyone must be involved and our collective efforts will rise in effect of our campaign for lasting peace and order. Peace is not a duty of one man or organization but a responsibility of everybody,” Deona stressed.
Regala, in acknowledging the commendation, shared the Peelian Principles saying that “the purpose of the police force is to prevent crime and maintain order, the true measure of the effectiveness of any police force is not the number of arrests or police actions taken, but the absence of criminal conduct and violations of the law.”
He encouraged every PNP personnel to be two steps ahead and to continuously upgrade themselves to be effective in crime prevention and crime solution, and for those personnel of the Regional Headquarters to be thankful that they are assigned here.
“Be humble and not belittle those assigned in the stations for they are the one exposed to great danger and fronting cases that would even mean losing their jobs. Let us challenge ourselves to contribute and be part of the changes that we want in the PNP,” Regala told his fellow policemen. (PNA)