- GILBERT BAYORAN
From being runners-up in previous year’s search for outstanding police units in the country, both the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and the Bacolod City Police Office were finally named as best provincial office and highly-urbanized city police office, respectively, this year.
The NOCPPO, headed by P/Col. Leo Pamittan, garnered 92.33 percent average, compared to its closest rival, the Cotabato Police Provincial Office, which got an average of 92 percent.
Now led by P/Col. Noel Aliño, the BCPO, with an average of 97.04 percent, also bested the Naga City Police Office, which garnered 89.85 percent, in the search for best highly-urbanized City Police Office, nationwide.
In the 121st Police Service anniversary last year, the BCPO was edged out by the Zamboanga City Police Office, while the NOCPPO trailed behind the Cagayan PPO.
The PNP celebrates the Police Service anniversary every Aug. 8, in commemoration of the joint founding anniversaries of the Philippine Constabulary, established in 1901, and the Integrated National Police, organized in 1975. Both were the forerunner organizations of the present-day PNP.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to be the guest of honor and speaker during the PNP anniversary rites next week at Camp Crame in Quezon City./GB