The lead cop

MANILA, Philippines - “An ordinary police officer undertaking ordinary responsibility in his own extraordinary way” is an apt description of Police Superintendent Sterling Raymund Blanco, the chief of police of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte.

Blanco is described as an “out of the box” thinker, having initiated programs, projects and activities that greatly improved the peace and order situation in Laoag City. He also reached out to the community and the local government as part of the effort to bring the police closer to the people.

“All I want is to improve the peace and order situation in the area, that is the primary role of the police, and that includes ensuring that citizens and businesses enjoy peace. At the same time, I want to make sure that the welfare of policemen is also taken care of,” Blanco says.

Such an attitude and commitment earned him the distinction of being the first recipient of the LEAD PNP Award, which aims to promote the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Integrated Transformation Program (ITP) advocacy at all levels. The ITP, launched in 2005, is designed to transform the PNP into a more capable, effective and credible police force.

Designated as Laoag City chief of police last June 16, 2008, Blanco got down to business upon reporting to his new post and made a two-year program of action for Laoag City. He assured residents, visitors, investors, and business locators of safety and security, both of their lives and properties.

In an interview with STARweek, Blanco said his programs were anchored on the following objectives: to enforce the law, to maintain peace and order, and to ensure public safety through the active support of the community.

 “My vision for the Laoag City police is to enhance the quality of police service, and its relationship with the community, improve peace and order and maintain a safe city that is conducive to socio-economic development and stability,” Blanco noted.

As police officer, Blanco said his mission is to faithfully carry out his duties and responsibilities, to be an effective and efficient law enforcer, an agent of change, peacemaker advocate and crisis manager.

Blanco also implemented effective crime management operations, and initiated and conducted activities to strengthen community relations.

With the help of Laoag City Mayor Michael Fariñas and other stakeholders, Blanco was able to establish a Police Assistance Center in several barangays to bring the services of the PNP closer to the community and to protect local and foreign tourists. One of the PACs was put up near Fort Ilocandia Resort in Barangay Calayab.

Although they prioritized the community, the Laoag City police chief also made sure that there would be activities for the advancement of the police force, improvement of station facilities, police mobility, investigative tools and communications equipment.

He also promoted the general welfare and development of every Laoag City policeman and strengthened the resource generation capability of the organization through the help of the local government units, non-government organizations and the barangays.

Blanco pushed for the installation of 16 CCTV cameras in strategic areas of the city, including the Laoag City Commercial Complex as well as at the City Hall, which have boosted the police force’s anti-crime campaign.

With the help of the LGUs and NGOs, Blanco’s police force procured an additional computer which has enhanced the reporting and data management of the administration section.

Blanco requested additional firearms and communication equipment from the city government for the Laoag City PNP – 12 shotguns, 12 .45 caliber guns, 10 mobile radios, and 13 handheld radios. He also said the police force needed flashlights for checkpoints, and their “Oplan Bakal” campaign against loose firearms, and relief and rescue operations during disasters.

Blanco also sought assistance from the US government, which responded by donating a Crime Investigation Kit that has allowed the police to have highly technical and accurate results in crime investigation activities. Police personnel were also given training on crime investigation.

Notable among his accomplishments and indicative of his creative way of crime solving was the organization of junk shop owners who had been buying stolen cable wires. Through frequent dialogues, Blanco convinced them to support the police anti-cable wire theft campaign.

 “Initially there was resistance but as I explained to them, buying stolen items was also illegal, so they supported our effort,” Blanco said.

Blanco topped 16 other nominees from the different regions for the coveted award. The nominees were recommended by the regional police directors, and each underwent rigorous screening by the technical working group, which came up with a shortlist of five finalists.

The four other police officers who made it to the top 5 in the search for the LEAD PNP Award were Superintendent Edgardo Ardales, Legazpi City Police chief; Superintendent Bonard Briton, Calapan City Police chief; Suprintendent Romulo Sapitula, chief of the Ermita Police Station; and Chief Inspector Gilbert Gorero, San Jose Municipal Police Station in Antique.

The finalists were endorsed to the LEAD PNP Award National Selection Committee led by Director Raul Bacalzo, concurrent chief of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM); Cebu-based priest Fr. Carmelo Diola, Prof. Jose Navarro, director of the Entrepreneurial Management Program, Continuing Management Education Program of the University of Asia and the Pacific; Albert Escalona, president of the Badge of Honor Foundation; and STARweek editor Doreen Yu.

The selection committee then reviewed the dossiers of the five finalists, after which they conducted validation visits to all five finalists, interviewing various stakeholders in each community and gathering their inputs on the effectiveness of the police force in their area.

During a thanksgiving dinner and presentation of prizes to the awardee held at the PNP Museum in Camp Crame, Quezon City recently, PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said he admired Blanco for his ideas in executing his police duties to implement the law and reach out to the community.

“Now you are part of the history of the PNP for being the first recipient of the LEAD PNP award,” said Verzosa.

The PNP chief vowed to continue the PNP’s efforts in developing leaders in all levels of the PNP, and to continue to recognize individuals like Blanco who strive to bring the police closer to the people.

 “We shall hit the ground running by enhancing police service where it matters most – in the community and among the people,” Verzosa said.