Search for the 2013 Best COPS on

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- The Metrobank Foundation, Inc., Rotary Club of New Manila East, PS Bank, and the PNP recently renewed their partnership for the 2013 Search for the Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS) by signing a memorandum of agreement.

In a press statement, Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña said the Search for COPS is a social contract with the police establishment of the nation, adding that the recognition program is a salute to all the members of the PNP who respond daily to the call of protecting and serving the people.

The program also intends to continue honoring the best among the best in the Philippine National Police (PNP), and further strengthening the professionalism in the police force.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome expressed his full support to the competition as it enhances the efforts of the PNP to reform the institution as spelled out in the PNP Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and upholding the rule-of-law.

“This partnership finds more significance as we answer the challenge of raising the standards of police services through the continuing implementation of our PNP Transformation Agenda geared towards achieving a highly capable, effective and credible police force,” stated PDGen. Bartolome.

The COPS is a nationwide search that honors the career achievements of gallant police officers of the nation with minimum of seven years in service and actively mobilized, involved and organized the community to become fellow vanguards of peace and order.

The COPS awardees will receive P300,000 cash prize each, COPS Trophy, Metrobank Foundation Medallion and the PNP Medalya ng Katangi-tanging Gawa.

For inquiries, interested nominees and nominators, call 898-87-57 or visit www.cops.ph; www.mbfoundation.org.ph and www.pnp.gov.ph. (MAL/PIA-5)


PNP Catanduanes chief represents Phl in counter-terrorism program

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- PSSupt. Eduardo G. Chavez, provincial director of the Catanduanes Provincial Police Office represented the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the second phase of Interpol Advance Capability Building Program on Counter-Terrorism for Asia from January 21 to February 1 at the Hyatt Hotel, Manila.

The program, sponsored by the French and Canadian embassies, seeks to foster the relationship between the National Control Bureaus (NCBs), Border Security/Customs, and Counter Terrorism experts on a regional basis.

It provided enhanced training, building capacity and operational connectivity among Asian counterparts, and identified key counter-terrorism issues and concerns across borders in order to address the growing terrorists’ threat in the Asia-Pacific region.

The training was attended by 26 participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Fiji, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Chavez rendered a briefing on the country's threat situation.

He is also the PNP's representative during the first phase training in Bangkok, Thailand last June 2012.

According to Chavez, representing the country in the said activity was a great privilege.(MAL/EAB-PIA 5)


9 Jaycees fellows complete historic 25-K “Great Alay Lakad”


By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- Nine fellows of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) chapter here completed the charity ultra walk from this city up to Tabaco City with an entire stretch of 25 kilometers on Sunday, February 24.

Certified finishers of the event dubbed “Great Alay Lakad” included JCI president Yves Eli Yu, executive vice president Martin Reynoso, secretary general Pao Brondial, public information officer Jed Sallao, board of director members Geoffrey Pabilona Dy, Enrique L. Manly, Cecil Abarrientos, Isabel Reynoso and senator Charlie C. Chua, all of the local chapter here.

Yu said the Alay Lakad was one the historic feat not only for the JCI chapter here but also even among other similar charity walks of other organization in the entire country.

“I called the executive director of Alay Lakad Foundation and the organization is trying to verify if similar stretch of farther had been staged in its forty years of operations, initially officials of the foundation cannot remember any group walking that far,” Yu said.

“And, I hope this recent feat will eventually spark a new event for the Alay Lakad Foundation. They will have a board meeting within this week to further discuss this types of Ultra walks to create more hype to the foundation cause,” he added.

The recent 25-kilometer walk formed part of the JCI team building activities, also complementing initiatives to promote healthy lifestyle not only among its members but also to those who have actually witnessed and become aware of the feat.

JCI Tabaco City, meanwhile, also joined the “walkers” in the remaining 2-kilometer final stretch of the walk, and followed by a fellowship at the city business center,

“Later on we will make this into the “Great Mayon Walk”, Yu said, referring to an upcoming team building activity anew for the JCI chapter here.

JCI Legazpi, according to Yu, is all about the passion of living life and experiencing what one normally can’t as we seek ways to live out the monotony and regulars of life.

JCI members, also known as Jaycees, take on the challenges around them through local development initiatives, as responsible citizens in a globalized world complementing what governments can achieve in society. (MAL/PIA-5)