CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO -- The Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) led by Regional Director Police Chief Superintendent Orlando M. Mabutas joined the kick-off ceremony of this year’s celebration of the National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW) held today in San Fernando City. National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Regional Director Josephmar B. Gil; Director Manuel V. Biason of the Department of the Interior and Local Government; San Fernando City Mayor Pablo C. Ortega; other heads of local government units, national government agencies, and people’s organizations took part in the opening program in front of the city hall. Celebrated simultaneously nationwide, the NCPW is now on its 16th year. This year’s theme is “Komunidad at Pulisya, Magkasama Tungo sa Pag-unlad ng Bayan” with the slogan “Ako, Ikaw, Tayong Lahat Laban sa Krimen.” The opening program started with an interfaith prayer and singing of the national anthem, followed by the launching of the NCPW Awards for the 2011-12 Best Performing Barangay Peace and Order Committees in La Union. City Mayor Pablo C. Ortega, in his keynote speech, expressed all-out support to the country’s overall crime prevention campaign, pointing out the peace and order is high in the priority list of his administration. For his part, PCSupt. Mabutas emphasized in his special message PRO1’s commitment to work closely with the community. “We at PRO1 are only too aware of the need for active citizen participation in our anti-criminality campaign. In fact, it has long been PRO1’s guiding principle to harness community support, not only in our fight against crime and other forms of lawlessness, but also in our various socio-economic development efforts,” stressed General Mabutas. The occasion also included the Panata ng Pagbabago, Pito Laban sa Krimen and the Releasing of Balloons led by Director Gil; PSupt. Efren Javier, deputy chief of the PRO1 police-community relations division; and PSSupt. Ramon O. Purugganan, La Union Police Provincial Director. A motorcade around the city followed, after which a press conference was held at the Masigasig Center here. ###

CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO -- Seventy (70) police investigators in Region 1 participated in the ten-day Police Investigation Refresher Course which officially opened yesterday morning ( August 31) at the Concord Building here. Police Chief Superintendent Orlando M. Mabutas, Region 1 police director, said the refresher course is part of the Integrated Transformation Program of the PNP particularly in upgrading the investigative capability of the police. “This training is intended to enhance the knowledge and skills of our police investigators, provide them with the latest innovative investigative techniques, as well as give them updates on recent policies and guidelines pertaining to investigation,” the Regional Director added. Police Senior Superintendent Alejandro M. Valerio, the chief of the Regional Investigative and Detective Management Division (RIDMD), disclosed that sixty (60) of the participants are investigators assigned at the Municipal and City Police Stations of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, and the remaining ten (10) participants are personnel from the National Support Units (NSUs) based in the region. “The police investigators shall be given instructions on pertinent laws, Crime Scene Management, Scientific Crime Scene Processing, Criminal Procedures, Principles of Investigation, Case Preparation, Investigative Report Writing and other related topics,” PSSupt. Valerio said. “This is in keeping with the policy of the PRO1 leadership to ensure that our personnel on the ground have the appropriate training to do their jobs within an acceptable level of proficiency,” added the RIDMD chief. ###

CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO – A police personnel from Region 1 was adjudged one of the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) for 2010. Senior Police Officer 2 Hermie Soriano Raymundo, assigned with the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Division of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, joined nine other winners of this year’s COPS award after a nationwide search undertaken by the Metrobank Foundation, Rotary Club of New Manila East and PS Bank in partnership with the Philippine National Police. Police Chief Superintendent Orlando M. Mabutas, Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) director, proudly congratulated SPO2 Raymundo for bringing honor and distinction not only for himself but for the whole Region 1 police. “Isang malaking karangalan ang pagkapanalo ni SPO2 Raymundo. His outstanding feat is really worthy of emulation,” said the Regional Director. According to the Metrobank Foundation, 91 nominations were received for this year’s search. The number was trimmed down to the ten winners through a rigorous screening process, document review and deliberation conducted by the selection committee composed of representatives from the PNP, government sector, non-government organizations and the Rotary Club. The winners in the Police Commissioned Officer Category are Police Superintendents Leo M. Francisco, Florencio T. Ortilla, Noel R. Ponsaran Sidney N. Villaflor. Joining Raymundo as winners in the Police Non-Commissioned Officer Category are Police Officer 3’s Edilberto B. Euraoba III, Shella Mae A. Sangrines, Zoraida M. Aripin, Joey V. Castillon and Roel P. Paclibar. They will each receive a trophy and cash price of P250,000 to be handed by President Benigno S. Aquino III during the COPS awarding ceremony on August 31 at the Malacañang Palace. The search for COPS, now on its eighth year, is an annual project with the aim to recognize the shared responsibility between the police and the community. The award is given to gallant men and women of the police force who have demonstrated exemplary work with the community in preventing and solving crimes. ###