Awardees

Police Inspector VICENTE M. BELARO was born in Camalig, Albay on July 1, 1955. He graduated with a BS degree in Criminology from the Philippine College of Criminology in 1978 and pursued a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Manuel Luis Quezon University in Manila in 1981, finishing 21 units. He was not able to complete the course due to pressures from policework.

Inspector BELARO's career as a police officer which spans 20 years is marked by exemplary efficiency, loyalty and dedication to duty rendered to the National Capital Regional Command. Two defining moments in his professional career as a policeman has distinguished him for his gallantry and extraordinary acts of heroism. The first was in July 1997, when he, together with eight other members of the NCRPO Underwater Search Rescue and Recovery Team, successfully conducted search and recovery operations and recovered a bladed weapon allegedly used in the murder of a Japanese national named Tadashi Miyata. Despite the hazards involved in poor underwater visibility, strong waves, oily sea water and filthy trash, the team patiently searched the murky sea floor off the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel, which lasted for half a day. The recovered buck knife was later identified by a witness to be habitually carried by the suspected killer, which led to the eventual arrest of the suspect. The second, and probably his most sensational case, was when he singlehandedly rescued Ms. Hermie Tanjuco, a lady manager of the Union Bank Branch at the Tropical Supermarket in Quezon City last May 24, 2000, and shot to death the armed hostage taker who earlier stabbed and shot a bank security guard.

For such exemplary acts of heroism in the performance of duty, Inspector BELARO has been the recipient of several awards from the media, foremost among which were the recognition awards from 558 RMN-News Manila Radio Mindanao Network and the "Pulis, Pulis, Kung Umaksyon Mabilis" hosted by Twinkle Valdez of the ABS-CBN Radio Station DZMM. He was highly recommended for spot promotion to Inspector by Director Manuel V. Icasiano from the Office of the President, then DILG Secretary Alfredo S. Lim, and past Police Chief Superintendent for the NCR Reynaldo M. Acop. Inspector BELARO is an active member of the Character Actors of the Philippines Athletic Club and the Kapisanan ng Mga Director ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Senior Police Officer 3 PERFECTO S. CODIÑERA was born in Divisoria Cawayan, Masbate on April 18, 1946. He graduated with a BS degree in Criminology from the University of the Visayas in Cebu City in 1971 and immediately completed a PC ROTC Summer Cadre Training Advanced Course at Camp Lumil in Silang, Cavite, finishing 4th in a class of 165 in July 1971.

Officer CODIÑERA first entered the police force as an enlisted Constable in the Philippine Constabulary in 1972. In a few months, he was promoted to Constable 2nd Class and was assigned to various stations in Mindanao. In January 1995, he was designated to head the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Division of the Cebu City Police Force as Chief Detective Bureau. Officer CODIÑERA's 28 year career as a bemedalled police officer was distinguished by his dynamic involvement in the solution of sensational cases.

From 1973 to 1976, he was responsible in the solution of major crimes committed in Mindanao, particularly in Jolo, Sulu, Zamboanga City, Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City. From 1978 to 1980, he was credited for arresting the most notorious criminals involved in the "gun-for-hire" gang, particularly in Ozamiz City that led to the restoration of Peace and Order in the area. In 1996, he successfully arrested leaders of notorious carnap rings as SEWKS, DIORES, LAYON, AZNAR and JOEL CHIN groups in Metro Cebu. In 1997, he was chiefly responsible for the arrest of "drug lords" involved in bigtime drug syndicates such as Edgie Libradilla, Felix Flores, Chuibe Lim, Roberto Flores, Rogelio Desalago, Farouk Hamis, and Rudy Go, among many others in the PNP "Most Wanted List." But perhaps the most sensational case he helped solve was the "Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong Sisters Double Murder Case" in 1998, dubbed as the "Most Heinous Crime of Cebu." He was the Lead Operative and Investigator of the Detective Bureau CIID, where he painstakingly conducted investigative follow-ups which resulted in the arrest of all suspects of the case. Other equally celebrated cases solved by Officer CODIÑERA in 1999 were the "Atty. Ferdinand Saornido Murder Case", the arrest of most wanted criminals Crisanto Cabuenas and Nestor Macapaz, the solution of the "Joseph Pareja Murder Case," and the early solution of the famous "Regan King Kidnap-for-Ransom Case."

SPO4 CHITO T. DE ARO was born in Davao City on December 16, 1951. He graduated with a BS degree in Criminology at the International Harvardian University in Davao City in 1974. He is currently assigned as the Police Community Relations Officer of Police Precinct No. 1 in Sta. Ana, Davao City. Officer DE ARO is a paragon of devotion to duty in the police service. As a public servant belonging to the law enforcement division, he has been candid enough in demonstrating his day-to-day duties and responsibilities as a policeman in serving the public, dead serious in regaining the people's trust and confidence in the capability of the police organization to fight criminal elements.

As a police community relations officer, Officer DE ARO is often seen at the forefront of the PNP's day-to-day police community relations. He coordinated with Barangay Officials in the creation and maintenance of the Civilian Volunteers Organization in 1996, known as the Barangay Police and Davao City Police Auxilliary Group, which supported the PNP in the Peace and Order Campaign, making Davao City Police Office twice awarded as the "Best City Police Office" nationwide.

In 1998, Officer DE ARO actively participated in every Barangay "Clean and Green (Linis Bayan)" Program, cleaning the city surroundings, streets and seashores, erasing and repainting the vandalized walls, fences and establishments, as well as planting trees, flowers, and vegetables, making Davao City as the Cleanest and Greenest City in the Philippines. In 1999, Officer DE ARO regularly conducted visitation and held symposia for Public Elementary and High Schools in every Barangay in Davao City. He also met and lectured the students on crime prevention and the hazards of health in using illegal drugs and its effects. Moreover, under the "Child Friendly City" program, he visited Kindergarten schools in coordination with the teacher in-charge to teach them good manners, child rights, and child abuse prevention. Lastly, he led people, in coordination with the City Disaster Coordinating Council and City Social Services and Development Office-Medical Teams, with the evacuation and rehabilitation of victims of natural calamities. Officer DE ARO is a regular Friday host in a radio slot given by the Radyo ng Bayan DXRP's "Serbisyo sa Katawhan," providing information on the Peace and Order updates, Laws, Ordinances, and Tips on Crime prevention.

Senior Police Officer 4 MARIA CECILIA R. DETABLAN was born in Zarraga, Iloilo on April 5, 1956. She finished a Collegiate Secretarial course at the Cabalum Western College in Iloilo in 1974 and went on to pursue a BS in Commerce degree from the University of San Agustin, but was only able to reach her fourth year of studies in 1993. In 1999, she resumed her undergraduate course, finishing a BS in Business Administration degree from the Cabalum Western College. For the schoolyear 1999-2000, she took up a Masters in Public Administration degree from the University of Iloilo, completing 12 units of the course.

In her 21 years of service, Officer DETABLAN distinguished herself as a competent professional, who has devoted her life in her campaign against crime in the municipality of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo. From 1996 to 2000, she has resolved more than 200 complaints and cases brought before the Office of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division, which were mostly referred cases coming from national government agencies and the private sector. She was also instrumental in the solution of sensational cases, such as the murder of Police Captain Alberto Deocampo of Sagay City, Negros Occidental in 1991 and the PNP Check Scam at the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) involving officers and men of the Regional Comptrollership and Finance Division. But perhaps her
most important contribution to the service was her authorship and implementation of a flagship project of PRO 6, entitled "Project: P.E.A.C.E.-P.A.C.T. (Parents, Educators, and Children's Education for a Partnership Against All Types of Crimes) in July 1998. This is a genuine partnership among parents, teachers, the community and the PNP to prevent juvenile delinquency. With the support of the PNP Women's Desk (WCD) personnel, she launched and implemented the project regionwide, which resulted to a wide public acceptance and the decrease of violence involving the youth. She also implemented the Project HAPPY (Home Activity Program of Progressive Youth), a special family crime prevention project of PRO 6. To ensure the effective monitoring of the project, she proposed and initiated the very first 3-day Criminal Investigation Seminar among WCD personnel nationwide to enhance the investigative capabilities of policewomen manning the WCD in handling women's and children's cases.

Senior Police Officer 4 VENANCIO N. MALING was born in Boac, Marinduque on May 18, 1949. He took up units leading to a BS degree in Industrial Education at the Marinduque State College in Tanza, Marinduque in 1966, but only completed 44 units due to lack of funds to sustain his education.

In his 24 years of total commitment and loyalty to the force, Officer MALING has keenly developed an expertise in the Philippine criminal justice system. Despite his lack of formal education on the subject, he has thoroughly displayed extraordinary competence from intelligence gathering, the preparation of evidence, to the final presentation of evidence in court; so much so that, in 1995, Officer MALING was designated as Government Prosecutor at the Boac Municipal Trial Court. Under this capacity, he has successfully secured the conviction of many suspects, thereby serving as an effective partner in the administration of justice.

Officer MALING's exploits as a police officer is not limited to the courtroom. He was chiefly responsible for the solution of various crimes involving some of the most dangerous criminal elements under his area of jurisdiction, among which were: the apprehension of an "Akyat Bahay" group from Lucena City in 1995; the arrest of one Ernie P. Palomo, the most wanted person in the Visayas in connection with a rape-slay case in Dueñas, Iloilo City in 1996; the busting of a three-member gun-running syndicate in 1997; the apprehension and conviction of two notorious pushers from Lucena City in 1998; and the arrest of rape-suspect Teofano M. Lope in Sta. Ana, Metro Manila in 1998, among dozens of others.

For his outstanding work as a police officer, Officer MALING was named "Outstanding Policeman for 1989" by the Municipality of Boac. He also earned the distinction of being the "Best Investigator of the Year" for 1996 in the Municipality of Marinduque, and a Plaque of Recognition from the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management of the National Police Commission for being adjudged the "Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Investigator of the Year" in 1999. Very active in his community, being the Vice-President of REACT Philippines, Morion Group, he launched a seminar-conference workshop on Child Abuse, which was attended by all Barangay Captains, Kagawads, and Government employees of Boac.

SPO1 BOBBY A. MADAMBA was born in Quezon City on October 10, 1963. He graduated with an AB degree in Political Science from the National College of Business Administration in 1988. He then pursued a Masters degree in Public Administration from the Tarlac State University in 1996, of which he was only able to complete 30 units, due to pressures in policework.

For 13 years, Officer MADAMBA has been known for his professional competence, respect for authority, loyalty to duty and country, as manifested by the respect he gained among his peers as an officer and gentleman. He is chiefly credited for the various accomplishments his precinct has made in restoring peace and order in his area of jurisdiction, to wit: the arrest of Raymund Cortez and Dennis Santos for Violation of the Illegal Gambling Law in 1998 at Tarlac; the arrest of Arturo Fontanilla for Illegal Possession of Firearms in 1998 at Tarlac; and the arrest of more than 15 suspects for various violations of R.A. 6425 and PD 1602 within the year 1999, all within the vicinity of Paniqui, Tarlac. But perhaps his most celebrated accomplishment was the arrest and apprehension of nine suspects on July 29, 1999, when seven persons were mercilessly killed during a robbery-holdup at Kalookan City and Quezon City. At first, operatives failed to gather information about the suspects, prompting elements of the Kalookan City Police Station to withdraw. However, clothed with a sense of duty and motivation, Officer MADAMBA and the operatives of the Paniqui Police Station continued the follow-up effort, believing that the suspects were within the vicinity. The break finally came when operatives were able to locate two tricycle drivers who brought the suspects to Barangay Coral in Tarlac. The drivers readily cooperated and led the troops for the eventual apprehension of the suspects.

Officer MADAMBA is active in community service as well. He has been frequently invited as guest speaker during Drug Abuse Seminars regularly conducted by non-governmental organizations. Being a member of the Knights of Columbus, he assisted in the "Operation Tuli" project last April 2000, as well as acted as coordinator of an interschool basketball championship. Based on his records, he was the only SPO1 who passed the requirements in the Deployment of Additional PNP Personnel to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

P/Chief Inspector LIGAYA L. SIM-CABAL was born in Manila on October 14, 1963. She graduated cum laude with a BS degree in Criminology from the Philippine College of Criminology in 1984 and pursued her Masters of Arts in Criminology from the same school in 1998, earning herself a meritissimus citation and a leadership award.

She was one year shy of completing a law degree from the University of the East in 1988, when the demands of police work prevented her from finishing the course. She also took up six units leading to a Doctorate degree in Business Administration from the Lyceum of the Philippines in 1998. Officer SIM-CABAL's exemplary record as an outstanding police officer bespeaks of her dedication to the force, risking life and limb several times in the apprehension of criminal elements in the country. Tasked to eliminate illegal recruitment activities, she, together with four members composed of two policewomen and two policemen, led to the apprehension of 121 illegal recruiters, neutralizing 30 illegal recruitment rings. Using her frail and comely appearance as her most effective weapon in nabbing unsuspecting members of drug syndicates and illegal recuitment rings, Officer SIM-CABAL was an extremely effective undercover agent, who contributed largely to the government's efforts in improving the image of the PNP.

Contributing her share in uplifting the tarnished image of the police force, she participated in 170 press releases, 110 media broadcasts, and several on-the-spot interviews since 1997. She started attracting crime victims by word-of-mouth. When her arrests were regularly shown on an anti-crime show in the government TV station, many people called her up asking for help even in crimes not within her jurisdiction.

Officer SIM-CABAL's exemplary performance prompted then President Fidel V. Ramos to award her the distinguished "Junior Police Commissioned Officer of the Year," concurrent with her being chosen as one of "The Outstanding Policemen of the Philippines" in 1997. In 1999, she distinguished herself again by being awarded the prestigious "The Outstanding Young Men" (TOYM) for Government Service by the Philippine Jaycees, making her the only person from the police force ever to receive this honor, not to mention the only woman awardee for that year.

SPO3 RUDY A. YUSOP was born in Sta. Barbara, Zamboanga City on October 8, 1958. He graduated with an AB degree, major in History from the Sulu State College in Jolo, Sulu in 1993. Officer YUSOP first entered the army as a Third Class Cadet in the Armed Forces of the Philippines in November 1976. In 1980, he decided to shift gears and become a policeman instead, working his way up from Third Class Constable in the Philippine Constabulary to First Class Constable in August 1986. He currently serves as Chief of Police in the Talipao Police Station in Jolo, Sulu.

In his 20 years of service as a law enforcer, Officer YUSOP consistently rendered exemplary service to the community, which is a rarity in the police force in this side of the archipelago. He is known as one of the toughest policemen in the province of Sulu, scoring a major breakthrough when he successfully neutralized a group of wanted persons, led by notorious Abing Sahibul, through a weeklong extensive operation called OPLAN Seashore that resulted in the killing of five bandits and the recovery of eight high-powered firearms from the group in 1999. He spearheaded an anti-drugs campaign, which led to the uprooting of 81,375 marijuana plants and destruction of 35,000 seedlings worth some P8 million in the remote barangays in Talipao, mostly owned by lawless elements and rebels operating in the area in January 2000. In this encounter, the police team of Officer YUSOP exchanged intermittent gunfire from marijuana securities, a running gunbattle which resulted in the killing of one marijuana security and the
recovery of one M-79 grenade launcher.

Officer YUSOP was also responsible for the negotiations and peaceful surrender of 51 hard-core Abu Sayyaf group members in Talipao in two separate occassions in June and November of 1999. He was also responsible for the recovery of a landmine during an encounter with Abu Sayyaf rebels led by Jundam Hadjirul (alias "Black Killer") in January 2000. The enemies withdrew towards the hinterlands of Patikul, leaving behind the recovered landmine laid as a trap for pursuing elements of the Talipao Police Station. Apart from these outstanding achievements, Officer YUSOP was very active in community affairs in Talipao. He has been a recipient of various awards and decorations in recognition of his laudable achievements in the police force.