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Besao native selected best cop nationwide
BONTOC, Mountain Province – The people of the province have another reason to celebrate. One of their brother policemen has made them proud having been selected as the best commissioned officer in the whole country in this year’s annual search for the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS).

Police Supt. Jonathan Calixto was honored by Metrobank Foundation, PS Bank, and the Rotary Club of New Manila East for his gallantry and professionalism he exemplified as evidenced by his accomplishments as government peace keeper. He received a cash prize of P250,000 and a trophy for the feat.

A native of Kin-iway, Besao, Calixto had his elementary and secondary education in his hometown before he moved to Baguio City where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminology at the University of Baguio.

Following the steps of his older brother, Rimas Calixto, who is presently the Regional BJMP director for Region 1, the younger Calixto entered the Philippine National Police Academy and graduated in 1995.

As a police officer, he led the team that assaulted the perpetrators of the Bicutan siege that caused the death of 22 Abu Sayyaf inmates and the recovery of seven firearms. He also headed the police force which captured the second highest officer of the Jemaah Islamiyah and recovered high intelligence value items.

This performance was hailed by President Arroyo as a big blow to the terror network of the terrorist group. Follow up operations resulting to the capture of Abu Sayyaf gun suppliers effectively limited the capability the group to conduct criminal activities.

Calixto was also among those who secured the Manila Peninsula during the foiled military stand-off led by now Sen. Antonio Trillanes.

In the fight against syndicated crimes, Calixto led Oplan Black Shark that resulted to the capture of members of the Black Shark gang.

The gang is reportedly responsible in series of kidnap for ransom, highway robberies, carnapping, drug trafficking, and other nefarious activities.

He was also a key player in many outreach programs that conducted clean and green drives and tree planting activities with the community people.

He is now assigned as battalion commander of the First Special Action Battalion of the PNP Special Action Force.

In his congratulatory message to Gov. Maximo Dalog and the people of the province, Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña said such exemplary accomplishments have qualified Calixto to join the elite roster of policemen worth emulating.

This year’s board of judges was chaired by Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara and go-chaired by presiding justice Diosdado Peralta of the Sandiganbayan. -- Angel Baybay