PRO8 honors men, units, partners on 112th Police Service Anniversary

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
August 20, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – The recognition of notable achievements of police personnel and units in Eastern Visayas, to include partners in the community, highlighted this year’s celebration of the 112th Police Service Anniversary here on Tuesday.

“The celebration was not only an occasion to draw lessons and inspiration from our historic past as an organization but to honor the people who in their own way contributed time, tears and even blood for excellent service delivered during the past year, which coincidentally, just about the same time of my assumption into office as PRO8 Regional Director,” said PCSupt. Elmer R. Soria, the region’s top police official.

But while he took the opportunity to express gratitude to those who supported him in maintaining the tranquil peace and order situation in Eastern Visayas, the police official also called on his men to support him in ensuring a peaceful and orderly barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October.

“While there has been a stable peace and order situation in Eastern Visayas, there is an impending big task ahead – the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections two months from now. You have been with me in the past twelve months that was highlighted by the peaceful conduct of the May midterm polls, I know you will not abandon me in our daunting but manageable task ahead,” the regional police chief added.

With the theme “Serbisyong Makatotohanan, Handog ng Pulisya sa Ating Pamayanan”, the celebration was graced with the presence of Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto, who represented Gov. Leopoldo Dominic Petilla, as Guest of Honor and Speaker.

Citations were awarded to the distinguished police offices and personnel from all over the region for excellent police service. In the field of police administration, achievement awards were given to PSSupt. Eusebio A. Mejos (Police Commissioned Officer Level) and SPO4 Pedro E. Austero, Jr. (Police Non-Commissioned Officer Level) while on police operations, cited were PSInsp. Jovie R. Espinido (PCO Level) and SPO4 Ananias C. Monteroso (PNCO Level).

For police criminal investigations, awarded were PCInsp. Santi Noel Matira (PCO Level) and SPO2 Leo A. Magpayo (PNCO Level) while in the field of general support, cited were NUP Charita M. Arriola (Supervisory Level) and NUP Rolando R. Nayra (Non-Supervisory Level).

Meanwhile, the unit awardees were the 2nd Regional Public Safety Maneuver Company of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (Campaign Against Insurgency); Samar Police Provincial Office (Arrest of Most Wanted Person); Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit 8 (Solution of Sensational Cases – National Operation Support Unit Level) and Catarman Municipal Police Station (Solution of Sensational Cases – MPS Level).

Special awards were also given to ABS-CBN Tacloban; Mr. Dalmacio Grafil and Mr. Vicente S. Labro, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Leyte-Samar Daily Express; Municipality of Javier, Leyte; 8th Infantry Division of Philippine Army; Samar Police Provincial Office and Regional Special Operations Task Group-Samar.

SPO3 Jorge B. Tiunayan and PO2 Agerico M. Afable (Posthumous) were also given Plaque of Merit for their conduct during the May 13 midterm elections.

The police service anniversary is celebrated in commemoration of the founding of the Insular Constabulary in August 8, 1901 under Commission Act No. 175 and the merging of Philippine Constabulary/Integrated National Police (PC/INP) in August 8, 1975 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 765, both are forerunner organizations of the Philippine National Police.