BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Six policemen assigned at the Bacolod City Police Office and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office were among the awardees yesterday during the 30th PNP Foundation Day celebration at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City.
Napolcom regional director Joseph Celis, assisted by Brig. Gen. Patrick Villacorte, PRO 6 deputy regional director for administration, led the distribution of awards to outstanding PNP personnel of Western Visayas.
The Medalya ng Kagalingan was conferred by Celis and Villacorte on Lt. Col. Nasser Canja, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company commander, SSgt. John Daniel Gotera, P/Cpl. Eric Lopez Mariquit, in recognition of their successful arrest of a fugitive, identified as Roberto Pandacan, who is facing murder and frustrated murder charges, in Brgy. San Isidro, Toboso, on Jan. 14 this year.
Capt. Paul Vincent Pendon, SSgt. Frederick Fronda, and P/Cpl. Jessmar Iwarata also received the Medalya ng Kagalingan for the arrest of Robert Colinco and Richard Briones on Dec. 11 last year, during a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Bata, Bacolod City, that yielded 24.8 grams of shabu and a .22 caliber revolver.
AWARDEES ACKNOWLEDGED
In his speech, Celis acknowledged the awardees for risking their lives in the performance of their duties and functions as police officers.
He also reminded them never to forget the value of integrity and honor. “Serve the people with your heart, never be tempted by material things,” Celis said.
Meanwhile, the NOCPPO signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital (BQMH) at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City yesterday.
Under the MOU, active members of NOCPPO and their dependents and retirees can be admitted to the hospital without an initial deposit, provincial police spokesperson, P/Lt. Abegael Donasco, said.
Donasco said they are also entitled to a 10 percent discount, if admitted, and 15 percent for outpatient cases.
Retired members, especially the senior citizens, Donasco said, can avail of a 23-percent discount.
To avail of the benefits, they are only required to present their PNP ID, active or retired and Letter of Authority from NOCPPO, signed by the provincial director, she added.
Col. Romy Palgue, NOCPPO director, and BQMH members of the Board of Directors, headed by Capt. Lucio Giovanni Giron – CEO/president, Dr. Evangeline Johnson – chairman, Omar Montejo – COO/administrator, and Neifertiti Gosiengfiao – director of the Business Development Center, signed the MOU. Johnson said that the signing of the MOU is a good example of a public–private partnership, as she also acknowledged the services of NOCPPO personnel in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.*
