By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan — Kalibo police station is still the Most Citizen-Friendly Police Station in Western Visayas.
It once again received the award under the Municipal Category during the 20th National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW) celebration in Iloilo City.
A 5-foot fiber glass icon was given to Chief Inspector Pedro Enriquez, police station chief, by Police Regional Office 6 director Chief Superintendent Josephus Angan and National Police Commission regional director Marte Palomar.
Kalibo police station, which was given the same award last year, bested Pavia police station of Iloilo and San Jose police station of Antique.
Aside from the icon, it was also given P15,000 cash. The two runners-up received trophies and plaques of appreciation.
Kalibo police station is now aiming to bag the recognition for the third consecutive time next year to ultimately get the Hall of Fame award.
In the regional Most Citizen-Friendly Police Station search in 2012, Kalibo police station under Superintendent Aden Lagradante was adjudged first runner-up, next only to Cabatuan police station of Iloilo.
That year, however, it was recognized as the Best Municipal Police Station in the region for its outstanding transformation initiatives and performance in police administration and operations, in line with the Philippine National Police’s Integrated Transformation Program.
It received its first Most Citizen-Friendly award last year under the leadership of Superintendent John Lemwel Villafranca.
Meanwhile, this year’s regional search saw Jaro police station of Iloilo City winning the Most Citizen-Friendly Police Station award under the City Category.
Roxas City police station of Capiz was first runner-up, while San Carlos City and Bago City police stations, both of Negros Occidental, tied as second runners-up.
Mayor William Lachica, Vice Mayor Madeline Regalado and Aklan police director Senior Superintendent Samuel Nacion witnessed Monday’s awarding ceremony at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
NCPW is observed on the first week of September every year. This year’s celebration was themed, “Krimen ay Labanan, Karapatan ay Igalang Tungo sa Mapayapang Pamayanan.” (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
