The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) was commended for doing well as Site Task Group in charge of security in the series of meetings of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Metro Cebu.
Director Gen. Ricardo Marquez, chief of the Philippine National Police, gave the commendation.
“The site groups were efficient, a very commendable performance including the other agencies. The planning and implementation went well, we were able to deliver and attain zero-crime incident,” said Marquez.
Marquez visited the PRO-7 headquarters last Thursday to gather reports about all units involved in securing APEC meetings.
Marquez said increased police visibility helped ensure peace and order.
“I think there was focus and dedicated effort in deploying the personnel. Second, there were augmentation forces,” Marquez said.
Several police personnel were awarded.
Chief Supt. Prudencio Bañas, chief of PRO-7, was given the Medalya ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod as commander of of the Site Task Group-Cebu.
The Medalya ng Kasanayan was given to Chief Supt. Eddie Benigay, Senior Supt. Valfrie Tabian and Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas who led several sub-level units.
The same medal was given to Senior Supt. Edwin Paras, Senior Supt. Marciano Batiancela, Senior Supt. Clifford Gairanod, Senior Supt. Cynthia Bustamante and Supt . Emelie Santos.
Senior Insp. Norman Nuez, PO2 Ramle Peligro, PO1 Katherine Tambanillo, PO1 Romnick Bantoto and PO1 Giovanne Garciano also received the award.
Marquez said he is optimistic that the crime rate in Central Visayas will continue to decline even after the APEC meetings.
He said the same security strategy will be used when APEC meetings resume next month and for next year’s International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu City.
“The concept we used for the APEC meetings will be very useful for any event, not just for IEC but for the annual Sinulog since it talks about not just the safety of the delegates but participants as well,” said Marquez.