PNP chief awards 9 policemen

CEBU, Philippines - Nine police officers who were responsible in the arrest of high profile criminals in Cebu recently have been awarded by no less than the chief of the Philippine National Police.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima personally pinned the “Medalya ng Kagalingan” to Supt. Rodolfo Albotra, Jr., chief of the Provincial Intelligence Branch of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (PIB-CPPO), Supt. Marvin Sanchez, chief of the Regional Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (RAIDSOTG); Chief Insp. Michael Anthony Bastes, chief of Mandaue City Police Office’s Investigation and Detective Management Branch; Senior Insp. Mark Gifter Sucalit of the Regional Intelligence Division; Senior Inspectors Ramil Morpos and Wilson Abot; SPO1 Reynaldo Solante; PO3 Rizalito Recongco; and PO2 Geoffrey Neis.

The awardees were lauded for their “exceptionally meritorious performance of duty” shown when they arrested an alleged eight suspected members of a gun-for-hire including its leader in Consolacion and the arrest of a suspected robber who shot and killed a loan officer in Mandaue City.

Albotra led the simultaneous operations in Consolacion that led to the neutralization of Francisco Ariva and his cohorts.

Bastes on the other hand led the operation that resulted in the death of suspected robber Renante Baldicantos.

“Your accomplishments created a positive impact on the overall competence and effectiveness of Police Regional Office 7,” said regional director Marcelo Garbo.

Last March 21, Albotra, in coordination with RAIDSOTG and RID, simultaneously served search warrants in Barangay Pulpogan, Consolacion that resulted in Ariva’s arrest and the recovery of several firearms, grenades, ammunition, packs of shabu, and drug paraphernalia.

Bastes’ team hunted Baldicantos in Jagobiao, Mandaue City after he was identified as the lone robber who killed loan officer Lyriza Amar in April 16 and took away P100,000 cash from the victim, who had just withdrawn the money from the bank.

The Medalya ng Kagalingan award is particularly given to policemen who either neutralize criminal elements, arrested most wanted persons, or recovered firearms or illegal drugs.  (FREEMAN)