Apayao PLGU commends outgoing PNP Provincial Director
By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis
LUNA, Apayao, Feb. 18 (PIA) — The provincial government of Apayao expressed gratitude and commended the outgoing police provincial director during the turn-over of command ceremonies last Tuesday(Feb. 16).
Police Regional Office – Cordillera Deputy Regional Director for Operations Police Colonel John Chua presided the turn-over of command ceremony of the Apayao Provincial Police Office from Provincial Director Police Colonel Byron Tegui-in to PCol. Peter Miguel Tagtag Jr., former chief of the PRO-Cor Regional Personnel and Records Management Division.
Provincial Administrator Maria Elena Teresa Ravelo, who represented Governor Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, thanked Tegui-in who she called as the “silent worker but effective public servant” for the outstanding performance in maintaining Apayao a peaceful province and for effective and utmost response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tegui-in served the province from August 2019 to February 16, 2021.
In the accomplishment report of the Apayao PPO on crime prevention and solution efforts, crime volume for calendar year 2020 decreased by 82 incidents or 44.2% compared to CY 2019 record of 147.
The Apayao police has arrested a total of 93 wanted persons by virtue of warrant of arrest, 69 other wanted persons, 110 warrantless arrest and 18 Top Most Wanted Person with three in the regional level, 11 in the provincial level, and four in the municipal Level.
On the campaign against loose firearms, 148 loose firearms were either voluntarily surrendered, recovered or confiscated by the PNP Apayao. There were also 12 suspects arrested with cases successfully filed in court.
In collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 37 illegal logging operations were successfully conducted which resulted in the confiscation and recovery of a total of 56, 205.54 board feet with market value of Php 1, 530, 457.04, and arrest of 25 alleged suspects with four cases filed in court. Impounded were two tricycle, two single motorcycles, one utility van, one Elf cargo truck, two forward trucks, one red dump truck, and one assembled chainsaw.
On the relentless battle against illegal drugs, four operations were conducted which resulted in the confiscation of one firearm and 23.5867 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride. Seven persons were also arrested. Likewise, 848 out of 1,174 drug surrenderees graduated from the on Recovery and Wellness Program .The province also recorded 93% accomplishment on the Barangay Drug Clearing Program and zero record on plantation or cultivation of marijuana and other illegal drugs in the entire province following the declaration of “persona non grata” that greatly manifests the relentless effort on the fight against illegal drugs.
Tegui-in was also helpful in the surrender to the folds of the law of a CPP-NPA member.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Apayao PNP initiated the “Kapwa Ko Sagot Ko” or Adopt-an-Indigent Family Program as one way of extending help to the community greatly affected by the health crisis. They distributed over a thousand food packs costing around P600, 000 out from voluntary contribution and salaries of personnel, to the different barangays of Apayao.
The PNP police force also cascaded Corona-virus Awareness Response and Empowerment (C.A.R.E.) Infodemic Drive to the 133 barangays in the province.
Under Tegui-in’s stint, the Apayao PPO was able to renovate one school library and build nine housing projects indigenous peoples beneficiaries from voluntary contributions of PNP personnel and some stakeholders.
He also improved logistical equipment that are essential in the execution of police operational activities and the innovation of tactical capabilities and administrative efficiency widely boost the morale and welfare of PNP personnel of Apayao.
Begtang and the provincial government recognized Tegui-in for his contributions to the province during the send-off ceremony held as part of the 26th Apayao Foundation Day celebration last February 15. (JDP/RMC-PIA CAR)
