Hard work pays off for SPD

Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Superintendent Wilfredo Garcia said yesterday the hard work and dedication displayed by his men were the reasons why his command ran away with the Best Police District award in Metro Manila for year 2005.

Under his leadership, the men of the SPD solved almost all sensational cases in their jurisdiction, including the murder of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Alicia Ramos, the Valentine’s Day bombing, the massacre of a family in Taguig and the killing Oliver Ong and another bombing case, both in Muntinlupa City.

"I would like to thank the men and women of the SPD for this award," said Garcia, noting that the SPD posted a 95 percent crime solution efficiency last year. "The credit belongs to them."

He received a plague and a streamer as the SPD led awardees at the 15th anniversary celebration of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City yesterday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao, assisted by NCRPO chief Director Vidal Querol, handed the award to Garcia.

The SPD was also named Best Police District of the NCRPO for 2004.

Apart from solving sensational cases, Garcia also cited the success of the strategy they adopted like the crime prevention program Makati Shield and the security on diplomatic missions, which earned them the nod of the NCRPO’s awards committee. He pointed out that 98 percent of the embassies are located in Makati City.

"The diplomatic community is very satisfied with our security operations and they conveyed their appreciation to the government and the PNP chief," said Garcia.

The SPD chief emphasized that two of his ranking officials, Senior Superintendent Jose Gentiles Jr. and Parañaque police chief Superintendent Ronald Estilles, were also named Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Administration and Police Commissioned Officer for Operations, respectively.

"My staff and field commander winning the top awards only validates the performance of the SPD in the war against criminality and terrorism," Garcia said.

He called on his men not to be complacent, admitting that street crimes continue to pervade in their area of responsibility (AOR).

"Our aim is to attain a crime-free society so we must sustain our existing strategy to totally reduce further the crime incidents in our AOR," he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan, director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said he respects the decision of the NCRPO awards committee for naming the SPD as the best police district.

Earlier, Quezon City government protested the selection of the Manila Police District (MPD), claiming the QCPD was ahead in statistical points.

Querol admitted the error on their invitation that named the MPD as the best police district.

The MPD was given a plaque of recognition yesterday for being named as Best Police District at the national level.

Chief Superintendent Eric Javier, NCRPO chief of staff, explained that the units and individuals were judged on three categories.

Javier said a unit would first be judged on their compliance to the performance evaluation report of higher headquarters in Camp Crame.

"The NCRPO would validate such accomplishment with a physical inspections and it would have to pass another evaluation by our Regional Director (Querol)," Javier pointed out.

Radovan said there were no hard feelings.

"Like brothers and sisters in the family, we talked things over, in-house," he said.

Radovan said he will continue working to make Quezon City the most peaceful place to live in this year.

"We will work harder this year not to win awards, but to make sure that Quezon City will be peaceful and our citizens are safe," he said.