Metrobank foundation announces country’s outstanding police officers

MANILA, Philippines – The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) officially announced the winners of the Search for the Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS) during a press conference held at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Main Conference Room on August 11, 2014. The winners were presented to PNP Chief Alan La Madrid Purisima and other members of the PNP during the flag raising ceremony. 

The winners from the Police Commissioned Officers category are: Police Senior Superintendent Cedrick G. Train; Police Senior Superintendent Rodelio B. Jocson; Police Chief Inspector Byron F. Allatog and Police Chief Inspector Reynaldo E. Ariño. Meanwhile, the winners for the Police Non-Commissioned Officers category are: Police Officer 3 Michael D. Pontoy; Senior Police Officer 1 Reynaldo G. Solante; Police Officer 2 Arshear U. Ismael; Police Officer 3 Alexander B. Fazon, Jr.; Senior Police Officer 1 Rey H. Sarcon and Police Officer 3 Comet D. Dumangeng.

“By putting their badges in their uniform and walking outside their home every day, regardless of their shift, our police commit their lives in the fulfillment of their sworn duties – a noble calling that paves the way for progress and development in our country and allows us to pursue our national aspirations,” expressed MBFI president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña. “The Metrobank Foundation together with the Rotary Club of New Manila East and PSBank, have taken it upon ourselves to honor and recognize these excellent men and women in the police force through the annual Search for COPS. As we always say, COPS is our social contract with the PNP, our humble contribution in reforming the PNP,” he continued. 

In partnership with the Rotary Club of New Manila East (RCNME) and PSBank, the winners were selected by a multi-sectoral final board of judges led by Senator Grace Poe with Hon. Maria Zenaida Angping, Representative of the 3^rd District of Manila; Hon. Jose Garcia III, Mayor of Balanga City, Bataan; Grace Padaca, Former Commissioner of the Commission on Elections; Eduardo Sahagun, President and CEO of Holcim Philippines; Fr. Francis Lucas, President and CEO of Catholic Media Network; and Atty. Alex Lacson, Chairman of Kabayanihan Foundation.

“This experience restores our faith in the PNP. It is easy to be jaded in their line of work but having spoken to the finalists made me see how people make do with so very little. We thank the Metrobank Foundation for this advocacy of rewarding those who should be justly rewarded,” said Senator Grace Poe.

The 2014 COPS judging process was comprised of documents review of the preliminary board of judges and panel interview which gave the judges a deeper appreciation of the members of the PNP. Through the interview, the judges evaluated the finalists’ attitude, accomplishments, awareness of current issues and responsible citizenship.

The members of the preliminary board of judges are Atty. Benjamin T. Bacorro, Senior Partner of Ortega, Bacorro, Odulio, Calma & Carbonell; PCSupt. Reginald Villasanta, Executive Director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission; Alfred Dalizon, Senior Reporter/Columnist of the Journal Group/Philippine Journalist, Inc.;  Dr. Ma. Luisa Agamata, Head of Public Assistance and Information Office/ and CSC Honor Awards Secretariat, Civil Service Commission; Atty. Dwight M. Ramos, Vice President of IPM Group; Marisa Y. Lerias, Executive Director (OIC) of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines; Jove Francisco, Senior Correspondent of News 5; Atty. Rudiger G. Falcis II, Director of Public Assistance and Community Coordination Bureau, Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices Office of the Ombudsman, and Atty. Rudolph  Steve Jularbal, Station Manager of DZRH.

“To be selected in this prestigious search is really a good opportunity and motivation for the best and the brightest in the PNP for them to really perform well in the service,” said PCSupt. Reginald Villasanta. 

Out of the 154 nominees nationwide, this year’s COPS awardees will be awarded as Metrobank Foundation’s Outstanding Filipinos together with the winners of the Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT) and Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) on September 5 as part of Metrobank’s 52^nd anniversary celebration.

Each COPS winner will receive an increased cash prize of P400, 000 and a medallion courtesy of the Metrobank Foundation.

“The Search for COPS reestablishes one’s faith in the Filipino police. Personally, it is a source of pride for me to be associated with an organization that helps in nation building and promote what is excellent,” shared PSBank President Vicente Cuna.

The ten commissioned and non-commissioned officers exemplify the best and brightest of our police force: of sound mind and keen reflexes, trained to withstand high-pressure situations, responsive to the concerns of the citizenry. Two of this year’s awardees were at the forefront during the 2013 Zamboanga siege. Leading the 5^th Special Action Battalion of Zamboanga City in its missions is Police Chief Inspector Reynaldo E. Ariño. As head of Task Force Bravo and ground commander of all deployed SAB teams, PCInsp Ariño was responsible for securing the safety of some 100,000 families held hostage in Brgy. Sta. Catalina and Brgy. Sta. Barbara. Also on the ground was Police Officer 2 Arshear U. Ismael. His skills were put to the test as he was tasked to monitor MNLF sightings while assisting in securing the safety of evacuees.

Another notable awardee is Police Senior Superintendent Cedrick G. Train whose innovations proved to be an asset to the PNP. He conceptualized and implemented the Geographical Reference for Integrated Deployment-Selective Enforcement to Reduce Victimization and Integrate Community Empowerment Strategies (GRID-SERVICES) This initiative maps street crime and other incidents, and employs COMPSTAT data for crime intelligence and analysis.

“Indeed, there are many policemen and policewomen out there ‐‐ in urban and rural areas, in slums as well as in middle class and upper class communities ‐‐ who remain honest and true to their calling, and who fearlessly perform their duty to the best of their abilities, establishing vital links with the members of the communities they serve. There is a real need to recognize them and publicize their outstanding works and worthy activities so that the public will have a more enlightened awareness of the PNP as a national agency protecting and serving the people,” said RCNME president Fausto Manlapaz.

Now on its 12^th year, COPS honors gallant men and women in the police force who are able to work with the community to prevent and solve crime. All previous COPS awardees are now members of the COPS alumni organization named “Policemen Responsible for Organizing, Training, Empowering Communities” or PROTECT. – Rappler.com