CAMP B/GEN Oscar M. Florendo, La Union -- Police Regional Office 1 (PRO) director Chief Supt. Franklin Jesus B. Bucayu reported that the crime volume in the past year greatly decreased even as he urged the public and stakeholders to support PRO1’s plans and programs to make the region totally peaceful.

Speaking during the celebration of PRO1 21st foundation anniversary, Bucayu explained the meaning of the occasion’s theme, “Police Regional Office 1: May Serbisyong Pagkukusa, Kaibigan ng Mamamayan at Tagapagtanggol ng Karapatan.”

An awarding program was also held preceded by a wreath-laying ceremony at the General Florendo Bust Circle and the groundbreaking for the PRO1 deep well project.

Rico E. Puno, Undersecretary for Peace and Order of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the guest of honor and speaker, awarded plaques of appreciation to Andrew M. White, vice president for Operations/plant manager of Holcim Phils., Inc., La Union plant;  Ryukichi Kawaguchi, president and CEO of San Roque Power Corporation; and Federico E. Puno, president and CEO of Team Energy, in recognition of their benevolent support to PRO1 which truly manifests police-community partnership at its best.

Plaques of recognition were also awarded to Chief Insp. Sover D.C. Gonting for having been adjudged as the “Best Regional Legal Officer of the Year (Nationwide),” and to Senior Supt. Ferdinand O. Divina, chief of the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit 1 (RCIDU1), for his innovative solution of the unpaid electric bills of Ilocos Norte CIDT to the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (INEC).

Likewise, Medalya ng Kagalingan was conferred on personnel of Marcos Police Station, namely; SPO4 Gerardo J. Jugo, SPO1 Conrado O. Agtarap and PO2 Augusto G. dela Cruz for their exemplary performance of duty during an encounter with suspected members of a robbery/holdup gang in Bgy. Lydia, Marcos, Ilocos Norte, on July 3, 2011.

Bucayu said that the Medalya ng Kasanayan was also given to Senior Supt. Ferdinando G. Sevilla, now Deputy Regional Director for Operations of PRO13, for his exemplary efficiency, loyalty and unselfish devotion to duty as Regional Chief Directorial Staff of PRO1 for almost two years.

In his message, Puno expressed elation over the overall performance of the PNP. He particularly cited PRO1 after “index and non-index crimes have decreased and crime solution efficiency has improved.”

“Your theme reflects the vision of our President and Commander-in-Chief who said that we in government should look at the people as our ‘boss’ and not the other way around,” he said.