Ilocos PNP chief ups drive vs illegal logging, protectors

By Mar T. Supnad

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Chief Supt. Franklin Bucayu, Region 1 police director, said the police will strengthen their commitment with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and draw clear policies on forest protection and identify those involved in illegal logging and their protectors in government.

           

This, as the La Union Police Provincial Office planted 3,360 narra seedlings along the mountainous area of Santol town, an area designated by the DENR as planting site.

 At the same time, provincial police director Senior Supt. Ramon O. Purugganan and his men also conducted clean up drive and earthquake drill to teach the public what to do in times of earthquake and other calamities as part of their community relations program.

 Chief Insp. Marlon D. Paiste, provincial police community relations officer, said the La Union PPO serves as sub-committee on disaster management.

Paiste led policemen, with personnel from San Fernando City Police Station in clean-up drive  particularly along the national highway of San Fernando. Bucayu had scheduled an inter-agency meeting with the DENR on August 20 and seminars and lectures will soon follow on how to intensify campaign on forest protection.

Paiste said an earthquake drill was also conducted inside the provincial police office participated by all LU police on July 31.

Same activity was also conducted by different stations to enhance their knowledge and skills on the proper procedures when this natural calamity arises,  Paiste said.

PNP personnel and BPAT members from the different stations also joined in the seminar/training regarding disaster preparedness.

 During a flag raising ceremony, Purugganan presented a certificate of recognition to the police community relations office led by Paiste for being adjudged “Best Police Community Relations Unit of the Year 2011-2012 (provincial level).

PO3 Lani E Peralta of San Juan town was also awarded as best police community relations officer in the community level.

 Presidential Proclamation No. 764 declared the month of July every year as Police Community Relations Month with the National Police Commission as lead agency with this year’s theme: “Mamamayan at Kapulisan: Patuloy ang Ugnayan sa Higit na Ligtas, Mapayapa at Maunlad na Pamayanan”. 

Purugganan, his two deputies Supt. Manuel Apostol and Supt. Giovanie Maines, with Supt. Eduardo C. Abaday, Head of Intelligence, and 112 cops trekked to Sitio Capalispisan, Barangay Paagan, Santol to conduct the tree planting activity, where a total of 3,360 narra seedlings were planted at the mountainous area on July 26.