CAMP FLORENDO, La Union–Despite the still unsolved gunslaying of two mayors and one vice mayor in the Ilocos Region in 2007, the regional police still considers last year as one of its shining moments.

Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, police regional director of Region 1, told local newsmen that despite the challenges brought by the gunslaying of San Carlos City, Pangasinan Mayor Julian Resuello April last year, of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte Mayor Phillip Velasco in May, and of San Manuel, Pangasinan Mayor Bonnie Apilado in June, the police regional office 1 (PRO1) under his stewardship still managed to earn good marks when the command was finalist in four categories for the national Philippine National Police award.

He said suspects in these sensational cases and their masterminds have been either arrested or identified with cases already filed against them.

Bataoil said his command is a finalist in “Best in the Country”, Best Police Regional Office, Best Police Provincial Police Office (for Pangasinan), Best City Police Station for Dagupan, Best Regional Mobile Group, and for Best Civilian Employee (Michelle Nabua).

He said to win two or three of these awards would already be significant.

He said compared to the other 16 police regional offices, PRO1 is the only region with the most number of finalist standing, a first in the national PNP awards program.

Lower crime index

Bataoil attribute the string of accomplishments to the decrease in the commission of index crimes from 2,977 in 2006 to 1,330; more higher police operations on special laws from 1,569 in 2006 to 1,647 last year.

Special programs

The PRO1 also implemented various programs that made the police to be “felt, seen and experienced”, according to Bataoil.

These included the Pulis Ko, Titser Ko project where policemen with Education courses teach pupils in insurgency-affected areas by substituting regular teachers whenever these are on leave for some reasons.

The Balik Loob for returning rebels made 12 regular members of the New People’s Army and 50 supporters in insurgency-infested areas, including two minor amazons, returned to the fold of the law.

They also cited the low incidence of political violence in the region in the last May elections.

Last year, the PRO1 was already adjudged the best countrywide. #

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