STA. BARBARA– The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) commended 18 policemen for the arrest of a fugitive American lawyer in Barangay Botao here last June 16.

In a simple ceremony at the town police station, certificates of recognition were handed to the policemen led by P/Supt Eric Noble, chief of police, who participated in the arrest of Joseph Alden Arriola, 42, who was wanted by the FBI.

Assistant Legal Attaché John Sapinoso of the United States embassy presented the awards to the policemen.

Among those also commended were Mayor Reynaldo Velasco, a retired police general; Pangasinan Police Director P/Sr. Supt. Percival Barba and P/Sr. Supt. Angelito Tan.

The certificate read in part: “Your dedication to duty and resourcefulness during the June 15-16, 2009 fugitive investigation at Pangasinan, Philippines are reflective of your agency’s continuing commitment to the international law enforcement community.”

SPO4 Jaime Jimenez, head of the investigation division of the Sta. Barbara police, said: “This is the first time we received an international recognition”.

Mayor Velasco, who proudly acknowledged the police operatives who demonstrated exemplary performance, said “We maybe a small town but big in performance, enough to make a mark in the international law enforcement community.”

Arriola was the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by U.S. courts for various crimes.

“We are truly grateful for this cooperation and hopefully we can continue to do more,” said Superintendent Harris Fama, one of team leaders who arrested Arriola.

“I am honored that such international cooperation is transpiring at the grassroots level. These are real indicators of the transformation that is going on within the PNP organization,” said Barba.–LM

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