Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada paid tribute to the Manila Police District by conferring merit medals to seven policemen for their outstanding performance in the city’s anti-criminality campaign.
Estrada praised MPD for being “a true champion of the people of Manila” by keeping the city and its 1.7 million residents and millions of visitors safe and secured from crimes and terror threats.
“Over the past few years, the MPD has become a true champion of the people of Manila. It has done an excellent job in the apprehension and arrest of those behind organized crimes, drug syndicates, and even groups that seek to destabilize our city,” Estrada said during the awarding ceremonies at the City Hall. Bill Casas
The mayor said he and the people of Manila are grateful to the dedication and bravery of the MPD even as he pledged to provide more support to the 4,600-strong city police force.
“Under the leadership of Chief Supt. Joel Coronel, the MPD will once again be recognized as ‘Manila’s Finest,’” Estrada said.
Coronel expressed his gratitude to the mayor. “We wish to convey our heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Estrada for his all-out support to the MPD in its anti-criminality campaign by providing us the logistics, equipment, material resources, and financial support to enable us to carry out our mandated tasks,” he said.
Estrada bestowed the PNP Medal of Merit (Medalya ng Kagalingan) to MPD Station 1 chief Supt. Amante Daro and PO1s Leizl Samonte and Lawrence Corpuz “for courageous act of gallantry and devotion to duty” during an operation on August 30 in Parola Compound that led to the neutralization of a suspect in the killing of PO1 Marmy Montemayor.
Also awarded the Medal of Merit were Sampaloc police station members Senior Insp. Ariel Ilagan and PO3 Michael Carabeo for a successful buy-bust operation last April 24 in P. Florentino Street, Sampaloc that also led to the arrest of two drug pushers, Ricardo Garcia and Jomar Garcia.
Estrada also presented the PNP Commendation Medal (Medalya ng Papuri) to Supt. Santiago Pascual III and Supt. Arnold Thomas Ibay, commanders of Moriones and Sta. Cruz police stations, respectively, for having the most number of arrests and neutralization of drug suspects in the PNP’s Oplan Double Barrel from July 1 to December 31, 2016.
Only last month, MPD was adjudged as the Best Police District in Metro Manila by the National Capital Regional Police Office during the 116th Police Service Anniversary celebration at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
The 4,600-strong MPD was cited by NCRPO director Oscar Albayalde for having the highest accomplishment in “Project Double Barrel” and also for registering the highest index crime solution efficiency, as well as having the most number of confiscated firearms for 2016-2017.
With another achievement under its belt, MPD will continue to receive support from the city government, according to Estrada.
Just last March, Estrada procured P20 million worth of brand new firearms for MPD operatives to further improve the city police’s firepower against armed criminals and terrorists.
Last October, the city government also bought for MPD 400 Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistols, 60 M4 carbines (shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 Armalite assault rifle), eight Sig Sauer sniper rifles, ammunition, and other necessary gears and equipment also worth P20 million.
When he assumed office in 2013, Estrada has allotted P1.9 billion for crime prevention program, which includes P136 million in back allowances of MPD members and the procurement of 41 new mobile patrol cars and 110 electric personal transporters.
Through another P20 million fund, the mayor also renovated the MPD headquarters on United Nations Avenue for the first time since it was built in 1949. Bill Casas