3 outstanding cops receive regional medal awards
By Freddie G. Lazaro
Vigan City (24 July) -- Ilocos region police director, Chief Superintendent Ramon V Gatan conferred medal awards to three outstanding police officers of Region 1 during the flag-raising ceremony at Camp BGen. Oscar Florendo in La Union last Monday, it was reported here.
The three policemen received recognition from the police regional chief after they recently brought pride and honor to Police Regional Office 1.
Gatan awarded the "Medalya ng Kasanayan" to Police Superintendent Eric E. Noble, Chief of Police of Santa Barbara town in Pangasinan, and to Police Officer 3 Arturo D. Melchor, Jr., Investigator and Human Rights Affairs PNCO of Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO). The two were among the ten winners in this year's Metrobank Foundation search for the Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS).
Gatan likewise pinned the "Medalya ng Katangi-Tanging Asal" to Senior Police Officer 4 Virgilio D. Cardinoza of San Carlos City Police Station in Pangasinan after he was cited twice as "Most Outstanding Policeman" in San Carlos City and for having been adjudged "Most Outstanding Farmer of the Year 2007-2008" in the said city.
Supt. Noble was cited by the COPS Selection Committee for, among many other things, being "responsible for the discovery of more than a hundred ‘ghost' cops who have been dismissed or discharged, or are serving time in jail or otherwise dead, but who continue to receive their salaries and benefits."
Noble's feat saved the PNP more than three million pesos per month worth of payroll funds, earning him the monicker "ghostbuster."
On the other hand, PO3 Melchor got the nod of the selection committee for his sterling record in tracking down and neutralizing lawless elements, for his successful effort to make the police accessible to the community through the Text 2920 project, and for initiating special programs for the youth and women, among other significant accomplishments.
In his message, Gatan praised the three awardees for their inspiring achievements and urged all PRO1 personnel to emulate their good example.
"Our honorees this morning truly epitomize Mamang Pulis. Let them be our role models as we move on towards our goal of genuine transformation in the Philippine National Police," Gatan said. (PIA Ilocos Sur) [top]
