CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO – Sixty-six (66) personnel of Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) took part in the Reproductive Health Awareness Seminar conducted yesterday afternoon (August 25) at the Concord Building here. The seminar participants, composed of 34 females and 32 males, came from the different PRO1 divisions, the National Support Units (NSUs), and the 1st Regional Public Safety Battalion (1st RPSB). Dr. Melinda Olarte-Javillonar; an obstetrician-gynecologist (Ob-Gyne) from the La Union Medical Center in Agoo town, gave a comprehensive lecture on cancer awareness. Dr. Javillonar also discussed diseases to which police personnel may be susceptible to, such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and colon cancer. PRO1 Regional Director Police Chief Superintendent Orlando M. Mabutas, in his message during the seminar opening ceremony, pointed out the importance of health awareness especially to police personnel because of the nature of their work. “We are lucky to have this seminar to have insights on how to prevent these diseases. Always remember that prevention is better than cure,” added General Mabutas. For his part, Police Senior Superintendent Reynante G. Partible, chief of the PRO1 Regional Police Community Relations Division (RPCRD), disclosed that the seminar is part of the said division’s Gender and Awareness Plan to promote health awareness among police personnel of Region 1. ###

CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO -- Fifty-eight (58) Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) personnel received their graduation certificates this morning (August 25) at the PRO1 Grandstand here after successfully finishing the rigid 45-day Internal Security Operation (ISO) Unit Enhancement Training. The graduates, composed of 3 females and 55 males, are all rookie cops with the rank of Police Officer 1 assigned with the 1st Regional Public Safety Battalion (1st RPSB). They started the training last June 4. Region 1 police director Police Chief Superintendent Orlando M. Mabutas was the Guest of Honor and Speaker in the said activity. In his message, General Mabutas congratulated the graduates for hurdling the tough course, even as he emphasized that, because of their specialized training, they are expected to be at the forefront of the anti-insurgency initiatives in the region. “Kayo ang mangunguna kontra sa mga gumagamit ng dahas para ibagsak ang ating gobyerno. I therefore call on you to put to good use your newly-acquired knowledge and skills. Your training had given you the distinct advantage over those who threaten our society. Apply what you have learned and make them feel they have no place in Region 1,” he said. He stressed to the graduates that they should strive to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. “Always adhere to the proper conduct expected of a police officer, keeping in mind that we are protectors of the weak, defenders of the innocent, and advocates of human rights,” added the Regional Director. During the ceremony, awards of merit were conferred to the following graduates: PO1 Diane Roussel R. Dela Cruz, PO1 Jessebelle M. Malamion and PO1 Joelry E. Ofiana for placing first, second and third, respectively, in the academics category; PO1 Gerald Ginez for bagging first place in the non-academic category; and PO1 Ryan B. De Guzman for being adjudged the best in physical fitness (“Tarzan awardee of the class). A certificate of appreciation was also awarded to the personnel of Philippine Navy (Naval Forces Northern Luzon) headed by Lieutenant Junior Grade Marx Nikolai C. Villamora in recognition of their support in the conduct of the Amphibious Waterborne Operations module of the ISO training. For his part, Police Senior Superintendent Tito G. Dacpano, Battalion Commander of the 1st RPSB, said that the ISO graduates will be downloaded to the four provinces of Region 1 for deployment to the line companies of 1st RPSB. ###

CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO – The Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) headed by Police Chief Superintendent Orlando M. Mabutas, in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 1 (PDEA-RO1) under Director Roberto Opeña, hosted a two-day seminar entitled Competency Enhancement on Republic Act 9165 held yesterday and today (August 19 and 20) here. PCSupt. Mabutas, in his message during the seminar’s closing ceremony, said that the seminar is part of the stepped up stance against illegal drugs in Region 1. He emphasized that the main objective of the seminar is to upgrade the knowledge and capacity of the participants on R.A. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2001, and its implementing rules. “The thinking is that we should know and follow the law first before we focus on the various policies pertaining to drug enforcement. Kailangang kabisado natin ang mga batas upang magkaroon tayo ng kumpiyansa sa pagpapatupad ng mga ito. We can do our jobs much better if we know the proper way to do them in the first place,” he added “Go all out against drugs. That is our marching order. We still have a lot of work to do, and to be able to accomplish them, we need to further improve our systems and procedures. Lumalabas kasi sa ating pagsusuri na maraming kaso ng droga ang nakakalusot dahil kulang ang kaalaman ng ating mga operatiba at imbestigador sa mga batas na umiiral patungkol sa ipinagbabawal na gamot,” pointed out General Mabutas. Mabutas acknowledged PDEA-RO1 Director Roberto Opeña for initiating the activity which he said also contributes to the strengthening of the working partnership among law enforcement agencies and other sectors of the community. “It should be underscored that the war on drugs is the shared responsibility of all peace-loving citizens; it can only be won with the mutual support and cooperation of every sector of the community, including our partners from the media. I therefore urge everyone to do his or her share in this common endeavor,” emphasized General Mabutas. The seminar was participated in by seventy-five (75) personnel from PDEA-RO1; the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (RAIDSOTG); the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG) of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan; the chiefs of La Union municipal and city police stations; members of the PRO1 Directorial Staff; and officers from the Regional Legal Service 1 and the Regional Crime Laboratory Office 1. ###