ILOILO City – Two provincial police directors in Western Visayas are finalists in the Philippine National Police’s search for Senior Police Commissioned Officers of the Year.
Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office is vying for the recognition under the Operations category and Senior Superintendent Samuel Nacion of the Capiz Police Provincial Office, under the Administration category.
It was learned that Tayaba and Nacion are top contenders in their respective categories. Tayaba is competing against finalists from Central Visayas while Nacion faces finalists from Northern Mindanao and Soccsksargen.
Final interview was on Wednesday in Camp Crame.
“We hope to be able to get these awards to bring honor to Region 6,” said Tayaba.
Finalists in the Operations category were being assessed based on their accomplishments on illegal drugs, wanted persons, crime statistics, and peace and order, Tayaba said.
In the Administration category the criteria include police-community relations and personnel management.
Tayaba said one of his top accomplishments is the neutralization of drug lord Richard “Buang” Prevendido of Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao district.
Prevendido and son Jason were killed by the police during a shootout on Sept. 1 last year in Barangay Balabago, Jaro.
Police said they were out to serve the Prevendido father and son a warrant of arrest when the latter fired at them, prompting them to fire back.
Tayaba cited the arrest of drug lord and gun-for-hire group leader Arturo Balume Sr. and son Arturo Jr. on Oct. 12 last year in Barangay Poblacion, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental as another top accomplishment./PN
