Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco said the awardees were selected by a five-man board of judges for their exemplary accomplishments in fighting crime and winning the hearts of the citizenry for the year 2002.
The NPD, headed by Senior Superintendent Marcelino "Bong" Franco Jr., was adjudged the Best Police District.
No less than Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. handed out the plaque of recognition to Franco during simple rites at the NCRPO grandstand in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.
The NPD police stations in Caloocan City and Malabon were recognized as Best City Police Station and the Best Municipal Police Station, respectively. Superintendent Benjarde Mantele, of the Caloocan City police and Superintendent Billy Beltran, of Malabon, received their respective award from Ebdane.
Two other NPD personnel, PO3 Raymund Mendoza and Aida Baudin, were chosen Best Junior Police Non-Commissioned Officer and Best Non-Uniformed Personnel, respectively.
Other awardees were Senior Superintendent Joel Goltia, Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer; Senior Superintendent Erasto Sanchez Sr., Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Operations; Chief Inspector Rene Lasola, Best Junior Police Commissioned Officer; SPO4 Edilberto "Jojo" Capacete Jr., Best Senior Police Non-Commissioned Officer; Inspector Julieta Espiritu, Best Women and Children Protection Desk; Mercedes Dordulaw, Best Non-Uniformed Personnel (Supervisory level, and Police Precinct No. 3, Cubao Police Station, Best Police Community Precinct.
A special award was given to the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU) under Senior Superintendent Antonio Nañas for outstanding performance that contributed immensely to the overall success of the NCRPO last year.
Franco credited the all-out support of local governments, the business community and the citizenry in their success. Under his leadership, Franco said he was able to reduce the NPD’s crime rate and also been successful in curbing high profile crimes like kidnapping and bank robberies.
The NPD, he said, also played an important role in the neutralization of two shabu laboratories in Navotas and Valenzuela City and the recovery of P2.5 billion of shabu and raw materials for the manufacture of the illegal drugs.
Since he assumed command of the NPD, Franco said he was able to boost the morale and keep uniformed and non-uniformed personnel united by praising them and not resorting to finger-pointing. – Non Alquitran, Jerry Botial, Pete Laude